In the first six months of 2021, India saw 348.7 million VPN installations, a year on year growth of 671%.

But does India face the threat of a VPN ban today? The Standing Committee on Home Affairs certainly wants them blocked. #SaveTheInternet 1/n
internetfreedom.in/hands-off-our-…
VPNs are important because they:

💻 help secure user data (against commercial fraud)

💻 help journalists, activists & whistleblowers secure confidential information

💻 allow users to sidestep arbitrary website blockings (i.e. help in creating #netneutrality) 2/n
Under the guise of "women's safety", the Standing Committee on Home Affairs wants to ‘strengthen tracking and surveillance mechanisms’!

VPNs work by encrypting data traffic, which prevents your ISP from tracking your location or data. Keeping VPN services legal is essential. 3/n
How did talk of a #VPNBan come to pass?

On 15 March '21, the Standing Committee presented its report on crimes against women & children, and noted that in cyber crimes, VPNs allow users to bypass security walls & stay anonymous, which is why VPNs must be permanently blocked. 4/n
.@GoI_MeitY responded to the Standing Committee's recommendations, stating that provisions to block VPNs in certain cases, such as — the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, already exist under the IT Act 2000. 5/n
The Standing Committee responded by stating that the @GoI_MeitY's response was "incomplete" & that no information was provided on "coordination mechanisms with international agencies to block VPNs permanently," as well as putting "a check on the use of VPN and the dark web." 6/n
Our suggestion to the MHA would be to seek legal opinion, and to open up a public consultation process with criminologists, technologists, & civil society organisations that focus on digital rights.

Safety cannot be an excuse to violate citizens' privacy. #SaveTheInternet 7/n
Stand up for your constitutional rights in a digital India. Become an IFF member.

internetfreedom.in/donate/

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More from @internetfreedom

16 Sep
Are you aware of your 'personal threat model'? #CyberSecCharcha

Oftentimes when people’s data is breached, it’s probably because they haven’t implemented the basic digital hygiene that goes a long way in protecting your data.

Follow this thread 👇🏽 1/n

internetfreedom.in/5-cybersec-cha…
There are some simple steps you can (and should!) take to up your #DigitalSecurity game. We might sound like a broken record, but:

🕸 Set up 2 Factor Authentication
🕸 Create strong passwords
🕸 Use a password manager
🕸 Stay alert for phishing scams!

More details in 🧵 👇🏽 2/n
First, on passwords:

✅ Use unique passwords for each account
❌ Don’t use: DOB, partner/parent’s names or any info easily available in the public domain.
✅ Aim for at least 15 characters & a mix of letters, numbers + symbols.
✅ Use passphrases: they are harder to crack. 3/n White background. Comic in ...
Read 9 tweets
16 Sep
Hearing Update: The petitions challenging the constitutionality of the #IntermediaryRules are listed for final hearing as item no. 44 before the bench led by the Chief Justice at the Madras High Court today. 1/n screenshot of court cases
IFF has provided legal assistance to carnatic musician, author and activist @tmkrishna in his petition challenging the entirety of the Rules. 2/n

internetfreedom.in/madras-high-co…
The issues raised in these petitions are extremely important. We have sought that the entirety of the Intermediary Rules, 2021 be struck down because it violates the freedom of speech, freedom to practice any profession, and the right to privacy of individuals. 3/n
Read 4 tweets
15 Sep
❗️ Do you know what's happening with the #AgriStack project ⁉️

IFF found out that comments by key stakeholders (such as @KIsanSabha) were not recorded in the consultation process! #StandWithFarmers

Follow this thread for quick updates 👇🏽 1/n

internetfreedom.in/the-case-of-th…
The #Agristack is a collection of technology based interventions in the farming and agriculture sector that hold the potential to result in dramatic changes. Get an introduction to the project & its potential benefits and drawbacks 👇🏽 2/n

internetfreedom.in/the-agristack-…
Quick notes:

The #Agristack project will include farmers':
- Personal details
- Land profile
- Production & financial details

Its issues mainly revolve around its algorithmic nature that can spike loan rates & reduce agency of farmers. The risk of exclusion is also present. 3/n
Read 8 tweets
8 Sep
Essential government benefits cannot be made conditional on vaccination status!

'No vaccination, no pension,' a #Karnataka Deputy Commissioner had said — and we followed up on its legal basis.

Could there be one? Follow this thread 👇🏽 1/n
internetfreedom.in/vaccines-shoul…
It was reported that for BPL & anthyodaya cardholders, vaccination was compulsory to receive benefits. In the face of outrage, the #Karnataka DC clarified that no such order was passed. While this immediate threat has diminished, we've seen multiple such statements recently. 2/n
In the present context of the COVID-19 pandemic, to deny people essential rations (or other government benefits) for being unvaccinated would only exacerbate the existing food and nutrition crisis.

IMPORTANT: Are such steps even legal? We broke it down for you. 🧵 3/n Similar statements have been given in recent times:  5 April
Read 7 tweets
7 Sep
Pegasus Update: Today, the Supreme Court will hear the petitions on #PegasusProject disclosures today. IFF has provided legal assistance to Jharkhand based activists @RupeshKSingh85 and @IpsaShatakshi, as well as support to other journalists and civil society members. 1/n Rupesh Kumar Singh court update
The issues raised in these petitions are extremely important. The petitioners have asked the court to declare that the use of the #Pegasus spyware is unconstitutional, and direct the Union Government to protect Indian citizens from this #spyware. 2/n
On the last date of hearing, the SC issued a pre-admission notice to the Central Government in these petitions. Prior to that, the Union Government had filed an affidavit that did not confirm or deny its use of Pegasus. 3/n

internetfreedom.in/meity-filed-a-…
Read 5 tweets
6 Sep
Short statement : The justification of the State of Haryana to impose an internet shutdown in Karnal on September 7 is incompatible with the Anuradha Bhasin Guidelines. The basis of an internet shutdown cannot be a vague apprehension of loss of life and property. 1/n
The order apprehends “disruption of public utilities and safety” and links it to the ability of the internet to “spread misinformation and rumours”. However, all these statements lack any factual basis such as specific inputs or past incidents. 2/n
Supreme Court has also at times held that the right to assembly and protest are democratic forms of dissent that must not be restrained. Hence there is a state duty to protect a protest and ensure its safety. Shutting down internet services does not advance state objectives. 3/n
Read 5 tweets

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