Internet Governance Blog
Brainstorming Session on the Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS 2017)
I attended a brainstorming session on the Global Conference on Cyber Space 2017 on April 12, 2017 at Electronics Niketan that was organised by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. The Global Conference on Cyber Space was first held in London in 2011. Thereafter, it was held in Budapest (2012), Seoul (2013) and the Hague (2015).
Privacy in the Age of Big Data
Personal data is freely accessible, shared and even sold, and those to whom this information belongs have little control over its flow.
Right to be Forgotten: A Tale of Two Judgements
In the last few months, there have been contrasting judgments from two Indian high courts, Karnataka and Gujarat, on matters relating to the right to be forgotten. The two high courts heard pleas on issues to do the right of individuals to have either personal information redacted from the text of judgments available online or removal of such judgment from publically available sources.
Aadhaar marks a fundamental shift in citizen-state relations: From ‘We the People’ to ‘We the Government’
Your fingerprints, iris scans, details of where you shop. Compulsory Aadhaar means all this data is out there. And it’s still not clear who can view or use it.
Analysis of Key Provisions of the Aadhaar Act Regulations
In exercise of their powers under of the powers conferred by Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, (Aadhaar Act) the UIDAI has come out with a set of five regulations in late 2016 last year. In this policy brief, we look at the five regulations, their key provisions and highlight point out the unresolved, issues, unaddressed, and created issues as result of these regulations.
It’s the technology, stupid
Eleven reasons why the Aadhaar is not just non-smart but also insecure.
How Aadhaar compromises privacy? And how to fix it?
Aadhaar is mass surveillance technology. Unlike targeted surveillance which is a good thing, and essential for national security and public order – mass surveillance undermines security. And while biometrics is appropriate for targeted surveillance by the state – it is wholly inappropriate for everyday transactions between the state and law abiding citizens.
State of Digital Rights in India (Delhi, March 24)
The Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi and the Internet Freedom Foundation, in association with Access Now, are hosting a discussion on The State of Digital Rights in India on March 24, 2017 (Friday) from 6.00 pm onwards at Lecture Room-I, India International Centre- Annexe, New Delhi. Japreet Grewal and Sumandro Chattapadhyay will participate in the panel discussions.
Benefits, Harms, Rights and Regulation: A Survey of Literature on Big Data
This survey draws upon a range of literature including news articles, academic articles, and presentations and seeks to disaggregate the potential benefits and harms of big data, organising them into several broad categories that reflect the existing scholarly literature. The survey also recognises the non-technical big data regulatory options which are in place as well as those which have been proposed by various governments, civil society groups and academics.
Comments on Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017
The Centre for Internet and Society submitted comments on the Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017. The comments were prepared by Udbhav Tiwari, Pranesh Prakash, Abhay Rana, Amber Sinha and Sunil Abraham.
Can the Judiciary Upturn the Lok Sabha Speaker’s Decision on Aadhaar?
When ruling on the petition filed by Jairam Ramesh challenging passing the Aadhaar Act as a money Bill, the court has differing precedents to look at.
Privacy Gaps in India's Digital India Project
This paper seeks to assess the privacy protections under 15 e-governance schemes: Soil Health Card, Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), Project Panchdeep, U-Dise, Electronic Health Records, NHRM Smart Card, MyGov, eDistricts, Mobile Seva, Digi Locker, eSign framework for Aadhaar, Passport Seva, PayGov, National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), and Aadhaar.
Big Data in Governance in India: Case Studies
This research seeks to understand the most effective way of researching Big Data in the Global South. Towards this goal, the research planned for the development of a Global South big data Research Network that identifies the potential opportunities and harms of big data in the Global South and possible policy solutions and interventions.
Ranking Digital Rights in India
This report is a study of five Indian telecommunication companies (Tata Communications Ltd., Reliance Communications Limited, Aircel Limited, Vodafone India Private Limited and Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited) and three Indian online service providers (Hike Messenger, Shaadi.com and Rediff.com). The report is an attempt to evaluate the practices and policies of companies which provide internet infrastructure or internet services, and are integral intermediaries to the everyday experience of the internet in India.
Vidhi Doshi - Fingerprint Payments Prompt Privacy Fears in India (The Guardian)
This article by Vidhi Doshi on the use of Aadhaar-based payments by private companies in India was published by The Guardian on February 09, 2017. Sumandro Chattapadhyay is quoted in the article.
Survey on Data Protection Regime
We request you to take part in this survey aimed at understanding how various organisations view the changes in the Data Protection Regime in the European Union. Recently the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 was passed, which shall replace the present Data Protection Directive DPD 95/46/EC. This step is likely to impact the way of working for many organisations. We are grateful for your voluntary contribution to our research, and all information shared by you will be used for the purpose of research only. Questions that personally identify you are not mandatory and will be kept strictly confidential.
Comparison of General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Directive
Recently, the General Data Protection Regulation (REGULATION (EU) 2016/679) was passed. It shall replace the present Data Protection Directive (DPD 95/46/EC), which is a step that is likely to impact the workings of many organizations. This document intends to offer a clear comparison between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) a the Data Protection Direction (DPD).
Privacy after Big Data - Workshop Report
The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) and the Sarai programme, CSDS, organised a workshop on 'Privacy after Big Data: What Changes? What should Change?' on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi.
Seminar on Understanding Financial Technology, Cashless India, and Forced Digitalisation (Delhi, January 24)
The Centre for Financial Accountability is organising a seminar on "Understanding Financial Technology, Cashless India, and Forced Digitalisation" on Tuesday, January 24, at YWCA, Ashoka Road, New Delhi. Sumandro Chattapadhyay will participate in the seminar and speak on the emerging architecture of FinTech in India, as being developed and deployed by UIDAI and NPCI.
The Design & Technology behind India’s Surveillance Programmes
There has been an exponential growth in the pervasive presence of technology in the daily lives of an average Indian citizen over the past few years. While leading to manifold increase in convenience and connectivity, these technologies also allow for far greater potential for surveillance by state actors.
