The PM-WANI scheme aims to increase internet connectivity across the country by implementing a decentralised system of public access points. We created an explainer in which we discuss how, while a step towards the right direction, the scheme faces both foundational and implementational challenges.
In a letter to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, we relay our concerns to them and ask them to call relevant stakeholders such as ministry officials and privacy experts to depose before them.
Recent events regarding the blocking of pro farmer protests Twitter accounts reek of government censorship. Furthermore, the process by which MEITY initiated the blocks is excessively opaque. We wrote to the Ministry asking them to make the orders publicly available so as to increase transparency.
No citizen of a democracy should have to suffer through what the people of Jammu & Kashmir experienced and we will keep pushing for broader internet shutdown reform.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting may be considering regulating online content on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. We wrote a letter to the Ministry, in which we detailed potential harms, asked for clarity, and requested a thorough implementation of the pre-legislative consultation policy.
Budget 2021-22 is a mixed bag. Though it contains praiseworthy allocations towards programs such as Digital India and the USOF and provides a stimulus to R&D, allocations towards the PMGDISHA remain low, while concerns remain that signficant capital expenditure may not take place.