CCTVs in Delhi: Cause for concern or celebration? #SaveOurPrivacy
We wrote to the Government of Delhi to highlight our concerns and highlight the need for a legal review & audit of their CCTV project.
Vaccines shouldn’t be compulsory for accessing rations!
Recently, a DC in Karnataka said that unvaccinated people would not receive PDS or pension entitlements. After significant public outcry, the decision was withdrawn. We wrote to the DC, appreciating the recall and asking him to ensure that vaccines aren't made mandatory for government benefits.
Digital Transparency: A Right to Information Report for August, 2021
In the month of August, IFF has filed 64 RTI requests, 5 First Appeals and 1 Second Appeal. In this report, we give you an overview of the requests filed and an analysis of the responses we have received from the different public authorities.
Hands off our VPNs! #SaveTheInternet
The Standing Committee on Home Affairs recently reiterated its stance that VPNs be permanently blocked. We wrote to the MHA, highlighting why VPNs are important and asking for the committee’s proposal to be put through a public consultation.
Ahead of its visit to J&K, IFF apprised the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT of repeated internet shutdowns
We addressed a letter to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, travelling to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The letter highlighted that the government was shutting down the internet in J&K without complying with the Supreme Court’s directions in Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India.
We will provide pro-bono legal support for those who speak truth to power. Launching the Digital Patrakar Defence Clinic.
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.
The E Shram Portal: An Explainer
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.
MeitY blocks information about Actor Sushant Singh’s account takedown
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 asking them to conduct a consultation on the E-Rupi programme
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.
Is the DoT doing a rethink on net neutrality? We press for transparency and enforcement #SaveTheInternet
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.