Blogposts

Tandav is a Case Study for OTT censorship under the IT Rules, 2021 #LetUsChill

Documents accessed through RTI paint a grim picture for creativity and diversity of content for online streaming platforms in India.

27 March, 2021

6 min read

Apar Gupta &

Anushka Jain

PDPB

#StartFromScratch: The data bill series part #1!

As a part of our new series #Startfromscratch on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, we explain the importance of protecting one's data online, the need for data protection legislation, and a brief history of the Bill.

26 March, 2021

7 min read

Rohin Garg

Why is the UP Police not taking down child porn? Also, a privacy fail.

The UP Police Women Power Line has recently launched the ‘Hamari Suraksha’ Programme. After looking at the few details of the programme available in the public and information gathered from news sources, we wrote to the UP Police highlighting our concerns.

Dear MEITY, withdraw the new IT Rules!

We write to MEITY urging them to withdraw the Guidelines For Intermediaries And Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021 while objectively noting the marginal positives within them are eclipsed by the larger illegalities that threaten digital rights.

23 March, 2021

6 min read

Rohin Garg

ITRules

Constitutional questions against unconstitutional Rules

In light of concerns about the Information Technology Rules, 2021, we wrote to the Standing Committee on IT, detailing issues and recommendations we have and asking the Committee to put the same before the representatives of the ministries.

11 March, 2021

7 min read

Rohin Garg

ITRules

Kerala HC restrains coercive action on the operation of Part III of the Intermediaries Rules, 2021 for LiveLaw

In a major victory for online publishers of legal news and literature, today the Kerala High Court granted a stay of the operation of Part III of the Information Technology Rules, 2021 to LiveLaw Media Pvt. Ltd. in a writ petition filed by LiveLaw Media Pvt. Ltd., M. A. Rashid and Manu Sebastian.

10 March, 2021

5 min read

Tanmay Singh

aarogyasetu

Hindsight is 20/20: Assessing outcomes from Aarogya Setu

We are close to a year since the launch of Arogya Setu. This is why we have written to the National Informatics Centre, pointing out that issues with Aarogya Setu have still not been addressed.

08 March, 2021

6 min read

Rohin Garg

OTT

Coming to streaming services near you: Self-censorship!

In light of the recently notified Intermediary Rules, we have made an explainer on the IAMAI's toolkit for the self-regulation code for OCC providers. Here, we describe the grievance redressal structure, analyse some of the concerns at hand, and explain how the toolkit will enmesh with the Rules.

04 March, 2021

10 min read

Rohin Garg

DNA Bill

Say no to DNA based surveillance: On the report on the DNA Bill

As a follow up to our analysis and outreach on the Report of the Standing Committee on the DNA Bill, 2019, we have written to the Department of Biotechnology. In our letter, we highlighted our concerns regarding privacy and surveillance, and asked that the Bill be redrafted.

03 March, 2021

6 min read

Rohin Garg

RTI

Digital Transparency: A Right to Information Report for February, 2021

Since our last report in the month of January, IFF has filed 41 RTI requests. Here, we give you an overview of the requests filed and why demanding transparency and accountability from government authorities is one of the key elements in our fight to protect digital rights.

02 March, 2021

5 min read

Anushka Jain

Blogposts

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