Our latest in the #PrivacyOfThePeople series is out now, and this time we've focused on digital lending apps (both 'legal' and 'illegal') — the information they collect, the lack of regulation, and how the PDP Bill comes into the picture.

Thread 👇🏽 1/5
internetfreedom.in/privacyofthepe…
After the pandemic began, illegal digital lending apps started offering unsecured loans to desperate borrowers. Interest rates (60-100%) and tenures (7-10 days) varied widely — no KYC. Extensive data was collected from phones & borrowers were harassed. 2/5
restofworld.org/2021/debt-and-…
Although digital lending apps fill a genuine market gap by offering credit to borrowers traditionally left out by financial institutions due to a lack of formal credit history, this may come at the expense of privacy and consumer welfare in India.

Some issues 👇🏽 3/5
So does the PDP Bill stand up to these challenges? Here's what it does 👇🏽

➡️ Recognises automated decision-making, but doesn’t provide adequate safeguards against its harms.
➡️ Does not entitle you to be informed about automated decision-making, seek explanations, or object. 4/5
In order to maintain user privacy and further true financial inclusion here, we must:

- Strengthen user data rights
- Mandate fair & transparent decision-making processes
- Enact strong regulations to oversee the digital credit market.

More details 👇🏽 #PrivacyOfThePeople 5/5
Help us advocate for your constitutional rights in a digital India!

Invest in your digital rights. Invest in IFF.

internetfreedom.in/donate/

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF)

Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @internetfreedom

9 Nov
#Tripura police has asked Twitter for personal details, like IP and linked phone numbers of multiple users — including lawyers & reporters — under a flimsy excuse: 'potential to flare up communal tension'.
Here's why this is patently illegal. Thread 👇🏽 1/n
internetfreedom.in/iff-questions-…
Information sought: browsing logs, IP addresses from which the users had logged on, mobile numbers (including verified numbers added for security reasons), and accounts that users had linked into their Twitter account.
2/n
This notice is patently illegal as Section 91 of the CrPC does not empower police authorities to block online content, but only enables the production of a document necessary for investigation or inquiry. The power to block online content only exists u/s69A of the IT Act. 3/n
Read 8 tweets
30 Oct
It has been 118 days since the “Sulli Deals” incident came to light — and Muslim women who were targeted are still waiting for justice.

IFF wrote to @DelhiPolice, highlighting concerns with the lack of progress being made in their investigation. 1/6
internetfreedom.in/118-days-since…
On 4th July '21, multiple Twitter accounts posted a screengrab from an app hosted on @github titled “Sulli Deals”.

This app shared photos and social media handles of more than 80 Indian Muslim women with the aim of objectifying and demeaning them. 2/6
After massive furore and backlash, the first FIR in the incident was registered — 6th July '21. On 8th July, @NCWIndia and the DCW also took suo motu cognizance, while the @DelhiPolice registered another FIR. 3/6

Read 7 tweets
29 Oct
By now, you must have seen the horrifying videos of @hydcitypolice unlocking people’s phones and searching their chats for keywords like ‘ganja’ and ‘weed’.

We’ve assisted @digitaldutta in sending a legal notice to the #Hyderabad Police Commissioner. 1/n

internetfreedom.in/iff-assisted-i…
News report videos by @TheSiasatDaily showed police officials in Hyderabad stopping pedestrians, motorcycle/autorickshaw drivers and riders. They appeared to be taking their phones and going through them. 2/n
A police official confirmed this and said:

👉🏾 5 teams deployed
👉🏾 Police checking phones for keywords - ‘ganja’, ‘weed’ and ‘stuff’
👉🏾 Any phone with these words being sent to the police station
👉🏾 Checking for over a month from 6am to 2am everyday 3/n
thenewsminute.com/article/hydera…
Read 8 tweets
29 Oct
As the frequency of data breaches increases, the threat to your data becomes more real every day — even if you've done your threat modelling & implemented digital security hygiene.

What can you do in the aftermath of a data breach? #CybersecCharcha ⬇️ 1/n
internetfreedom.in/6-cybersec-cha…
First things first, confirm the breach and don't fall for rumours on Twitter! Verify the news from 3-4 trusted sources.

Beware of scammers moonlighting as company reps & try to gather more information. Speak to the company via official channels if you have to! #databreach 2/n
Next: Change your passwords if your credentials were leaked. Password tips:

➡️ DO NOT repeat the same passwords everywhere
➡️ DO NOT include Personally Identifiable Information (like birthdates, parents' names etc) — this will make them easy to crack.
➡️ DO enable 2FA! 3/n
Read 8 tweets
28 Oct
EXPLAINED: The RBI's #AccountAggregator framework that went live on 2 Sept '21! This new change was heralded as "transformative" to the financial ecosystem.

But does its revolutionary potential stand the test? Follow this thread ⬇️ 1/5 #SaveOurPrivacy

internetfreedom.in/explainer-acco…
This framework tries to make #financialdata more accessible between banks or other "Financial Information Providers" and entities requesting that data (like credit platforms) called "Financial Information Users" with the consent of the user.

Here's how it works ⬇️ 2/5
#AccountAggregator supporters say this is a step towards a secure, efficient, & connected financial ecosystem — reducing costs + frauds while prioritising user consent.

But critics say that security issues exist, while the role of RBI in regulating AAs has been questioned. 3/5
Read 7 tweets
27 Oct
#PegasusProject #OrderAnalysis❗️ Long Thread Alert 🧵

BIG NEWS: The Supreme Court of India has constituted a technical committee to investigate the allegations of #Pegasus use against Indian citizens. 1/14

internetfreedom.in/sc-appoints-a-…
WHAT CAN THE COMMITTEE DO? 👁‍🗨

It is to enquire and investigate whether the #Pegasus spyware was acquired by any Government; whether it was used on phones/devices of Indians to access stored data, eavesdrop, intercept information; and/or for any other purpose. 2/n
The Committee can also make recommendations regarding new laws around #surveillance to secure the right to #privacy as well as about establishment of a mechanism for citizens to raise grievances grievances if they fear they are under illegal surveillance. 3/n
Read 14 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(