[Itpolicy-np] INDIA: Cyber Security, Privacy, Human Rights And E-Surveillance, a small glimpse

[Bipin Gautam]

INDIA: Cyber Security, Privacy, Human Rights And E-Surveillance, a small glimpse


Privacy And Human Rights Are Dead In India
http://cjnews.noads.biz/?p=410

When the sole cyber law of India, i.e. information technology acts
2000 (IT Act 2000) was amended by the information technology amendment
act 2008 (IT Act 2008), there was a faint hope that it would improve
the Indian cyber law.

However, things got worst by that amendment as it made almost all
cyber crimes bailable. It also provides unconstitutional and illegal
e-surveillance and internet censorship powers to the Indian government
and its agencies.

Very few people protested against this act of Indian government and
encouraged by this lack of awareness and protest, Indian government
started violating civil liberties of Indian citizens step by step.
There was virtually no voice against this intent of India government
except a single initiative titled Human Rights Protection in
Cyberspace (HRPIC), launched and managed by Praveen Dalal, Managing
Partner of Perry4Law.

Even the Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court kept a mum
although they should have acted as the sentinels of Indian
Constitution. Even the suo motu powers in the hands of these
constitutional courts was not sufficient enough to give them courage
to challenge this unconstitutional and illegal law making by Indian
Parliament.

Unregulated and unchallenged, the Indian government announced the
launch of controversial and unconstitutional projects like Crime and
Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), National Intelligence
Grid (NATGRID), UID Project of India/Aadhar project of India, etc.

Surprisingly, Indian citizens are still keeping a mum and so are
Indian courts. Now Indian government is targeting telecommunication
services like Blackberry and Internet services like G-mail etc.

If Blackberry succumbs to the pressure of Indian government there is
no scope of using its services. It would be better to use end to end
encryption software with any ordinary mobile phone and dumping
Blackberry forever.

However, there is a more pressing and more important issue to be
addressed her. The Indian government would keep on increasing its
e-surveillance and Internet censorship initiatives in future. In such
eventuality, it becomes more important to support initiatives like
HRPIC and adopt the techno legal measures suggested by it to protect
civil liberties in cyberspace and otherwise.

_______________
Cyber Security, Privacy Rights And E-Surveillance In India
http://cjnews.noads.biz/?p=464

As more and more public services are attached to information and
communication (ICT) technology, their security becomes of paramount
importance. In India there is very little research, training and
education in the field of cyber security. Further, even lesser is
research and training regarding techno legal issues.
...

India has been facing cyber threats from cyber criminals, cyber
espionage groups, cyber war groups, cyber terrorists, etc. Even the
homeland security of India needs rejuvenation. Indian departments and
strategic computer systems have been under constant threats from
adjacent countries. Many sensitive documents have also been stolen
through hacking the crucial computer systems in India.

Even the cyber law of India is a very weak piece of legislation with
no deterrent effect. When cyber crimes like hacking have been made
bailable nothing can make such a law a deterrent for committed cyber
criminals.

In the name of national security and cyber security, the Home Ministry
is taking absurd decisions like banning Blackberry, Gmail, Skype, etc.
Further, illegal and unconstitutional projects like CCTNS, Natgrid,
Aadhar project, etc have been also pushed for the sole purpose of
enhancing the illegal and unaccountable e-surveillance powers of
Indian government and its agencies.

The truth is that authorities like unique identification authority of
India (UIDAI) and projects like CCTNS, Natgrid, Aadhar, etc are
violative of civil liberties and fundamental rights of Indians. The
worst affected are the privacy rights in India that have simply been
compromised for the façade of security. It is high time for Indians to
reclaim their human rights before it is too late.

______________________
Homeland Security And Human Rights In India
http://cjnews.noads.biz/?p=450

Homeland security  has assumed tremendous importance all over the
world. Homeland security in India is also assuming importance and
India is considering improving the same. However, homeland security is
a highly specialised and collaborative model.
...
A special effort must be made by Indian government for reconciliation
of civil liberties with the national security interests of India.
Indian government must keep in mind the pressing requirements of civil
liberties protection in cyberspace.

.....