When journalists are under threat, truth is under threat. IFF, in collaboration with the Foundation for Media Professionals (FMP), has launched the Digital Patrakar Defence Clinic (DPDC). In this post we describe the need for DPDC, who can apply for help; and the pro-bono help we offer.
On 26th August, 2021, the Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the E-Shram portal. The portal will help unorganised workers receive social security benefits. We decided to create this explainer to help you understand what the portal is and what are the various issues facing the portal.
Twitter unilaterally and arbitrarily suspended the account of Sushant Singh (@sushant_says) twice, i.e. on February 1 and May 26, 2021. We helped him file RTI requests with the Meity, DoT and MHA. Meity invoked the 2009 Blocking Rules and the RTI Act to deny information to Mr. Singh.
We wrote to the Department of Financial Services about the E-Rupi. We pointed out several issues such as surveillance and financial exploitation, the lack of data protection, and exclusion. We suggested that a consultation be conducted, and that data protection norms be specified.
We were alarmed by a recent report that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is citing fiscal constraints in establishing a Multi Stakeholder Body (MSB). We wrote to the DoT, pressing for transparency and enforcement of net neutrality.
IFF has submitted its comments on the NDHM’s consultation paper on the Unified Health Interface.Our comments are focused on five key issues: the need for diverse feedback, market capture by the private sector, digital exclusion, financial exploitation, and the need for public digital infrastructure.
Recently, the PM launched the E-Rupi voucher programme. Given that these vouchers are supposed to transform the digital payments system and assist in vaccine delivery, we thought we’d create an explainer on the scheme. This is our attempt at helping people understanding the programme.
Since August 15, 2021, internet services have been suspended in four districts of Meghalaya due to ongoing civil unrest. We wrote to the Meghalaya government to publish all orders related to the current internet shutdowns as well as proactively publish any subsequent internet shutdown orders.
The Monsoon session of Parliament saw frequent disruptions of big issues such as the Pegasus attacks and the farm reforms. In this post, we take a look at these disruptions, and analyse how the Parliament fared with respect to digital rights. Unfortunately there was not much progress.
The Court found these rules, which prescribed a Code of Ethics and a 3-tier grievance redressal mechanism, to be prima facie violative of Article 19(1)(a) and beyond the rule-making power conferred by the Parliament on the Government.