We wrote to the Minister for Telecommunications, Ashwini Vaishnaw to highlight the lack of implementation of TRAI’s recommendations regarding the enforcement of net neutrality principles by ISPs, which included establishing an independent Multi Stakeholder Body by the DoT.
Before the commencement of the Winter Session of the Parliament, we have prepared our second Legislative Brief on Digital Rights. In our brief, we highlight some of the focus areas within the larger issue of digital rights that call for the extensive deliberation in Parliament.
Mr. Lyngdoh, a law student, sent a legal notice to the Meghalaya Govt. seeking reconsideration of use of FRT for pensioners in view of the possible privacy concerns. The Meghalaya Govt. in its response has explained its position which we have analysed.
A group of social science researchers have filed an intervention application, with legal support from IFF, highlighting the adverse impact any decision to block LibGen and SciHub will have on them. A Joint Registrar of the Delhi High Court has issued notice.
We filed RTI applications to determine the extent of the Rajasthan government’s compliance with directions in Anuradha Bhasin. We have received a response from the Jaipur DC, who issued 30 Internet shutdown orders, which follow an identical copy, cut, paste format — same as Udaipur!
We have provided our comments on the Draft Approach Paper for creating a Digital Address Code, highlighting governance issues around geospatial data, data protection issues around the use of geospatial data, and potential surveillance and function creep challenges which will arise from DAC.
MHA originally claimed that the RTIs on e-surveillance is exempt for national security, but CIC directed the MHA to re-hear the matter. MHA now claims that it has destroyed the info! We filed another appeal before the CIC, and the Delhi HC directed the CIC to tell the HC a timeline for our appeal.
We filed 6 RTI applications in Dec 2018 seeking information about Electronic Surveillance orders passed under Section 69 of the IT Act. Three years have passed since, and we apprehend that the information sought is being continuously destroyed during the pendency of the RTI proceedings.
IFF's Project Panoptic has partnered with Amnesty International and Article 19 to launch the #BanTheScan campaign against the rampant proliferation of facial recognition use in Hyderabad.
Since our last report for the month of September, IFF has filed 49 RTI requests. Here is an overview of the requests filed and an analysis of the responses we have received from the different public authorities.