Thread by @internetfreedom

Only a few minutes to go for #PrivacySupreme 2021!

Four years since the landmark #Puttaswamy judgement, join us for a discussion on the future of your right to privacy in the wake of the #PegasusLeaks 👇🏽

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Today, we're talking about the #PegasusProject reports. @MitaliLive will be speaking with @ShashiTharoor on what could be India's response to such an exposé — where are investigations headed, and how can we move ahead in India? #PrivacySupreme

The #Pegasus story in India is not recent. @ShashiTharoor takes us through the trajectory of parliamentary responses to it. #PrivacySupreme

Previously, the targets were human rights activists. However, the recent revelations indicate a wide range of targets — from opposition leaders and journalists to cabinet ministers!

"Journalists being under attack is rather alarming." @ShashiTharoor #PrivacySupreme

"There are enough grounds for a thorough and serious investigation" @ShashiTharoor #PrivacySupreme #Pegasus #PegasusProject

The Indian government does have the power to surveil, monitor and decrypt communications — for certain specific interests (national security & others). But: the exercise of this power was restricted in an SC judgement back in 1996 — with details, a review committee, & time limit.

However when we talk about hacking, it is against the law under the #ITAct. This is why it's important for a judicial investigation into these serious reports. @ShashiTharoor #PrivacySupreme

Two important aspects around the future of our data privacy #PrivacySupreme
1. Data must belong to those who generate it.
2. We need an *independent* Data Protection Authority.

If you have questions, comment them on our YouTube stream! #PrivacySupreme

"Our democracy is only as robust as we the people of India make it." @ShashiTharoor #PrivacySupreme

Our second panel with @RonDeibert of @citizenlab and @anubhabhonsle begins in a few minutes! Tune in 👇🏽 #PrivacySupreme

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The @citizenlab has helped @AmnestyTech in their peer review of the #PegasusProject methodologies and a sub-set of the investigated phones. We have @RonDeibert, its director, talking about the process! #PrivacySupreme

https://twitter.com/internetfreedom/status/1430137359513767940?s=20

We're talking about the 2019 WhatsApp exploit by NSO right now! The #PegasusProject has simply added evidence to the already existing mountain of evidence on digital surveillance. #PrivacySupreme

Reports of NSO-led spyware attacks are still coming in, and there's no way it's a credible claim that the company does a human rights audit. The NSO continues to sell to illiberal, inhumane regimes. #PrivacySupreme

The pretense of safeguards by the NSO: we only sell to governments who only use it to investigate serious crimes. But what constitutes national security threats worthy of investigation? We've seen journalists, academics, research scientists framed as criminals. #PrivacySupreme

We (@citizenlab) have ample evidence of targeted espionage against civil society of India, starting from 2019 — and not all of them have gone public. It's not surprising — most countries around the world have very few safeguards around their intelligence agencies. #PrivacySupreme

Within a very short period of time (10-15 years), we've rushed headlong into an embrace of digital technologies. The problem is that the entire ecosystem on which all of this built is not secure *by design* - because of surveillance capitalism, and its consequent insecurities.

What we desperately need is a wholesale set of regulations on what governments and corporations can do with our data. The dark side of extensive data collection is causing serious harm. #PrivacySupreme

If you've got nothing to hide, do you still need to worry about privacy? It's a definite yes. Because authorities don't care if you have nothing to hide, what people are looking for is a loophole into exploitation - not just yours, but those close to you too. #PrivacySupreme

We *need* safeguards. We need institutions that can independently & safely verify that no abuse of power is taking place. That definitely isn't there in India, where there's recorded evidence of planted evidence — and that's what a disregard for privacy can lead to. #surveillance

In the case of India, there are so many cases of extensive surveillance. @Citizenlab was also involved in parsing through #BhimaKoregaon, and it's not just #Pegasus, but various other kinds of spyware/malware and the lack of safeguards. #PrivacySupreme

https://twitter.com/internetfreedom/status/1425716795831250944

"Gross negligence in the name of profit." @RonDeibert (@citizenlab) on NSO technologies #PrivacySupreme

Looking back, #ArabSpring was an important turning point. Governments then went back and wondered, how can we stop this from ever happening again? They began tracking and hacking. #PrivacySupreme

Put in your questions for @RonDeibert! We'd love to have you in the digital conversation 👇🏽

The solution, whatever it may be, has to involve proper independent agencies. It may not be perfect, but we can't let perfect be the enemy of good. Democratic nations must set up proper agencies that are transparent and accountable to its people. #PrivacySupreme

Is there a figure to the global surveillance industry? Yes, public figures, BUT it's important to remember that many of these transactions take place in secret, with shell companies. However, what we can say is that: it's large, and it's growing. #PrivacySupreme

In India there's a line of thinking that says privacy is an "elitist" issue but... is it really? @anubhabhonsle asks @RonDeibert, and we end with a note on the importance of advocacy in this regard. #PrivacySupreme

Thank you everybody for tuning in to #PrivacySupreme 2021! Our work needs your continued support.

If you believe in your work and think our work matters, do consider becoming an IFF member today 🌟

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