Internet Freedom Foundation defends online freedom, privacy and innovation in India.

Born out of the SaveTheInternet.in movement for net neutrality, IFF works on a range of issues including net neutrality, free expression, privacy and innovation.

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Blogposts

Standing Committee on IT must act to Save Our Privacy

Today, the Internet Freedom Foundation [http://www.internetfreedom.in], wrote a letter to the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Shri Anurag Thakur and composed of Members of Parliament from both houses, on the hearings set up by it on the subject of ‘Citizen’s Data Security and Privacy’. In this letter, IFF has reiterated the ask it initially made on April 5 requesting that the Standing Committee of IT open up its inquiry on citizen’s data security and privacy
18 April, 2018
2 min read
Apar GuptaApar Gupta

IFF urges Justice Srikrishna to Save Our Privacy

Today, the Internet Freedom Foundation [http://www.internetfreedom.in], an organization born from the SaveTheInternet.in movement for Net Neutrality, filed its submission to the Justice Srikrishna Committee on Data Protection. This committee which has been tasked with framing India's data protection law is an important step in ensuring the online privacy for people in India. * Earlier IFF through the, "Privacy is a Right" page had summarised a voluminous white paper and outlined how the pub
31 January, 2018
1 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team
Net Neutrality

TRAI’s recommendations are another big victory for Net Neutrality - but follow up action is needed!

IFF notes with appreciation the recommendations issued by Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Net Neutrality despite push back from some quarters of the telecommunication industry against any additional regulations. By taking a decisive stand on upholding Net Neutrality, TRAI has built upon the strong foundation it had laid down in 2016 by issuing regulations prohibiting Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services. We welcome these recommendations for the following reasons:
29 November, 2017
3 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

Aadhaar undermines informational privacy and data protection

When the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) was launched more than a year ago, we had a spirited conversation on taking forward our work from SaveTheInternet.in and net neutrality. What brought us together was a shared passion for protecting the open internet and the digital rights of users. We strongly felt that this couldn't be done without protecting the privacy of individuals [https://static.internetfreedom.in/issues-privacy/]. Our very fundamental notions and protections of privacy and data
23 November, 2017
1 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team
Privacy

We call on the TRAI to protect user privacy in the Indian telecom sector!

Fresh off the historic nine judge decision of the Supreme Court holding privacy as a fundamental right, IFF has called on the TRAI to protect user privacy and data protection in its ongoing public consultation “Privacy, Security and Ownership of the Data in the Telecom Sector”. We previously posted a short summary [https://www.internetfreedom.in/summary-of-the-consultation-paper-on-privacy-security-and-ownership-of-the-data/] of this consultation paper back in September. You can read our full
07 November, 2017
2 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

Urgent Release: Government Committee wants to bring back Section 66A

Press reports over the past few days have indicated various government proposals, notably the for the introduction of a fresh Section 66A. The Internet Freedom Foundation is releasing a copy of these recommendations to public and calling for a consultation. Struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015, Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 was the unconstitutional tool used to curb free speech on social media. The Section had been used to arrest a number of internet users voicing thei
11 October, 2017
2 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

Summary of the Consultation Paper on Privacy, Security and Ownership of the Data in the Telecom Sector

Chapter I – Introduction and Background The evolution of telecommunications services in the recent times has been of great advantage by aiding the overall economic and social development of the country, enabling better connectivity among users and emergence of a variety of new business models and increasing the use of information and communication technology services (ICT) services. Moreover, the user’s interaction with the modern ICT services through any form of content lately has increased the
18 September, 2017
7 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

Blocking orders to Twitter illustrate a worrying process #GOIBlocks

This week, media reports have indicated that the Government of India on August 16, 2017, and August 24, 2017 issued a terse letter directing the blocking of twitter handles, hashtags, and individual tweets. This includes a tweet from the news wire service ANI and parody/gossip handles such as @LutyensMasala and @LutyensSpice. These blocking orders call for urgent focus on the problematic process and legality of website blocking in India. What do the letters say? The letters which have been issu
08 September, 2017
2 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

IFF presses for interim reliefs in the WhatsApp Privacy Case

We had earlier updated [https://www.internetfreedom.in/iff-will-represent-your-digital-rights-in-the-whatsapp-privacy-case/] that IFF has intervened in a case involving issues of online privacy and licensing of online platforms before the Supreme Court of India. This case arises from a challenge to the change in WhatsApp’s privacy policy, after which it began sharing data with Facebook. Through the WhatsApp case, we hope to carry forward our promise [https://static.internetfreedom.in/statement
07 September, 2017
2 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

The Government of India taking clear action to prevent internet shutdowns? No, not really

Press reports [https://www.medianama.com/2017/08/223-internet-shutdowns-india/] have revealed that the Union Government’s Department of Telecom has issued rules on governing network disruptions or internet shutdowns in India. Titled the “Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017” [http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Suspension%20Rules.pdf?download=1] and issued by the Centre under Section 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, they were quietly pub
28 August, 2017
3 min read
IFF Public Policy TeamIFF Public Policy Team

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Campaigns & Projects

The Digital Patrakar Defence Clinic provides pro bono legal assistance to all journalists in India who face legal threats related to their reporting.

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IFF’s Project Panoptic aims to bring transparency and accountability to the relevant government stakeholders involved in the deployment and implementation of facial recognition technology (FRT) projects in India.

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#SaveOurPrivacy is an online collective launched in May, 2018 to safeguard your privacy and ensure a citizen centric data protection law.

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The ‘Zombie Tracker’ is a platform which monitors cases which include a charge under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act 2000 which was deemed unconstitutional by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Shreya Singhal v Union of India.

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