Blogposts

Surveillance

Legal Notice to BECIL for it's tender to procure employee tracking smartwatches and a Covid-19 mass surveillance system #SaveOurPrivacy

IFF has sent a legal notice to a government entity BECIL that intends to procure two items (amongst a larger procurement of various other medical safety devices), i.e. “Personnel Tracking GPS Solution” and the “Covid–19 Patient Tracking Tool”.
26 April, 2020
5 min read
Apar GuptaApar Gupta
savetheinternet

We Write to DoT and TRAI to Improve Internet Access and Protect Net Neutrality During COVID-19 #SaveTheInternet

IFF has written to the DoT and TRAI suggesting that government interventions must look toward overcoming the digital divide, appreciating the importance of the internet and mobile services as an essential utility, and protect net neutrality.
24 April, 2020
7 min read
Sidharth DebSidharth Deb
Surveillance

We wrote to NCRB and MHA requesting them to halt their ongoing National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) project #SaveOurPrivacy

We have shared a representation with the NCRB and the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs Mr Amit Shah highlighting the legal and constitutional issues with their National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) project.
22 April, 2020
4 min read
Anushka JainAnushka Jain
Covid

Supreme Court directs Govt to file reply to petition seeking restoration of 4G internet in J&K #KeepUsOnline

The Supreme Court has directed the Government to file its response to petitions seeking restoration of 4G internet in J&K by Sunday i.e. 26 April and the matter will be listed again next Monday i.e. 27 April.
21 April, 2020
4 min read
Devdutta MukhopadhyayDevdutta Mukhopadhyay
big tech

Unpacking the positives and risks of Apple and Google’s contact tracing foray #SaveOurPrivacy

IFF’s Working Paper on Privacy Prescriptions for Technology Interventions on COVID-19 in India, affords significant space to the issue of contact tracing technologies. It offers a preliminary breakdown of the Apple and Google's proposed partnership to provide a digital contact tracing solution.
17 April, 2020
7 min read
Sidharth DebSidharth Deb
Surveillance

Is Aarogya Setu privacy-first? Nope, but it could be-- If the government wanted. #SaveOurPrivacy

IFF’s Working Paper, analyses the Aarogya Setu application, highlights how it is inconsistent with the right to privacy, is conceivably a risk toward a permanent system of mass surveillance, and suggests clear recommendations to arrest these risks.
14 April, 2020
7 min read
Farkhanda ZahoorFarkhanda Zahoor
Surveillance

A comprehensive look at Covid Surveillance and Privacy in India #SaveOurPrivacy

IFF has authored a comprehensive working paper to inform public policy formation in India, including a substantive analysis of the use and publication of health data, specific development of surveillance technologies and deployment of contact tracing through device applications.
13 April, 2020
5 min read
Apar GuptaApar Gupta
Surveillance

The need to investigate the NSO Group, which was behind the Pegasus software, is now more than ever. #SaveOurPrivacy

We wrote to the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh urging them to establish committees to investigate the Whatsapp hack. Our key recommendations were to include victim and expert testimony in the investigation which should be carried out in a transparent manner.
10 April, 2020
3 min read
Anushka JainAnushka Jain
Covid

SC issues notice in FMP’s petition seeking restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu & Kashmir during COVID-19 crisis #KeepUsOnline

Today, a 3 judge bench of the Supreme Court issued notice in a petition filed by Foundation for Media Professionals against the internet slowdown in Jammu & Kashmir during the COVID-19 crisis.
09 April, 2020
3 min read
Devdutta MukhopadhyayDevdutta Mukhopadhyay
internet shutdowns

Can’t Drop the Ball on Internet Shutdown Reform #KeepUsOnline

We wrote to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs urging for review of the Telecom Suspension Rules 2017 based on public consultation and economic impact assessment.
04 April, 2020
3 min read
Devdutta MukhopadhyayDevdutta Mukhopadhyay

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