The Centre for Internet and Society
https://cis-india.org
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October 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2017-newsletter
<b>October 2017 Newsletter</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Dear readers,</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
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<li>CIS <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/cis-comments-on-mobile-accessibility-guidelines">submitted its comments </a>on mobile accessibility guidelines to the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Govt. of India. </li>
<li>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="text-align: justify; ">Between 1 to 16 September, an online discussion took place on the creation of social media guidelines and strategy for Telugu Wikimedia handles online. Manasa Rao <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/discussion-on-creation-of-social-media-guidelines-strategy-for-telugu-wikimedia">captured the developments in a blog post</a>.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="text-align: justify; ">Padma Venkataraman in a blog entry <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/cis2019-efforts-towards-greater-financial-disclosure-by-icann">chronologically mapped</a> CIS’ efforts at enhancing financial transparency and accountability at ICANN, while providing an outline of what remains to be done.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="text-align: justify; ">Shyam Ponappa's article on NPAs and structural issues was published in the <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-october-5-2017-npas-and-structural-issues">Business Standard</a> on October 5, 2017.</div>
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<p>CIS in the News:</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/daily-o-october-4-2017-attempted-data-breach-of-uidai-rbi-isro-and-flipkart">Attempted data breach of UIDAI, RBI, ISRO and Flipkart is worrisome</a> (DailyO, October 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-hindu-saurya-sengupta-sex-drugs-and-the-dark-web">Sex, drugs and the dark web</a> (Hindu; October 7, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/first-post-october-12-2017-ahead-of-data-protection-law-roll-out-experts-caution-that-it-shouldnt-limit-collection-and-use-of-data">Ahead of data protection law roll out, experts caution that it shouldn't limit collection and use of data</a> (First Post; October 12, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/medianama-october-18-2017-namaprivacy-economics-and-business-models-of-iot">#NAMAprivacy: The economics and business models of IoT and other issues</a> (Medianama; October 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/medianama-october-18-2017-namaprivacy-data-standards-for-iot">#NAMAprivacy: Data standards for IoT and home automation systems</a> (Medianama; October 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/deccan-herald-furquan-moharkan-october-24-2017-majority-of-top-politicians-twitter-followers-fake">Majority of top politicians' Twitter followers fake: audit </a>(Furquan Moharkan; Deccan Herald; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/eastern-mirror-october-23-2017-awards-for-those-working-on-employment-opportunities-for-disabled">Awards for those working on employment opportunities for disabled</a> (Eastern Mirror; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-october-25-2017-nibbling-away-into-your-bank-account-salami-attackers-cart-away-a-fortune">Nibbling away into your bank account, salami attackers cart away a fortune</a> (New Indian Express; October 25, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/nirmita-narasimhan-wins-the-18th-ncpedp-mindtree-helen-keller-award-2017">Nirmita Narasimhan wins the 18th NCPEDP-Mindtree Helen Keller Award 2017!</a> (National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People; October 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>-----------------------------------</strong><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><strong>----------------------------------- </strong><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>►</span>Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Blog Entries</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/odia-wikisource-turns-3">Odia Wikisource Turns 3</a> (Manasa Rao; October 22, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikimedia-workshop-at-ismailsaheb-mulla-law-college-satara">Wikimedia Workshop at Ismailsaheb Mulla Law College, Satara</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-at-dalit-mahila-vikas-mandal-satara">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, Satara</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-workshop-at-mgm-trusts-college-of-journalism-and-mass-communication-aurangabad">Marathi Wikipedia Workshop at MGM Trust's College of Journalism and Mass Communication, Aurangabad</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/orientation-program-at-kannada-university-hampi">Orientation Program at Kannada University, Hampi</a> (A. Gopalakrishna; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-workshop-at-solapur-university">Marathi Wikipedia Workshop at Solapur University</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/discussion-on-creation-of-social-media-guidelines-strategy-for-telugu-wikimedia">Discussion on Creation of Social Media Guidelines & Strategy for Telugu Wikimedia</a> (Manasa Rao; October 24, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>►Openness</span></p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><strong>-----------------------------------</strong><span style="text-align: justify; "> </span>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><strong>-----------------------------------</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>►</span>Freedom of Expression</p>
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<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/icann2019s-problems-with-accountability-and-the-web-controversy">ICANN’s Problems with Accountability and the .WEB Controversy</a> (Padma Venkataraman; October 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/why-presumption-of-renewal-is-unsuitable-for-the-current-registry-market-structure">Why Presumption of Renewal is Unsuitable for the Current Registry Market Structure</a> (Padma Venkataraman; October 29, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/cis2019-efforts-towards-greater-financial-disclosure-by-icann">CIS’ Efforts Towards Greater Financial Disclosure by ICANN</a> (Padma Venkataraman; October 29, 2017).</li>
</ul>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>►</strong>Cyber Security</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Participation in Event</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/cy-fy-2017">CyFy 2017</a> (Organized by Observer Research Foundation; New Delhi; October 2 - 4, 2017). Sunil Abraham was a speaker.</li>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Privacy</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Blog Entry</strong></p>
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<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/gdpr-and-india-a-comparative-analysis">GDPR and India: A Comparative Analysis</a> (Aditi Chaturvedi; October 17, 2017).</li>
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<div style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Participation in Event</strong></div>
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<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/securing-the-digital-payments-ecosystem">Securing The Digital Payments Ecosystem</a> (Organized by NITI Aayog; October 9, 2017).</li>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>►</strong>Big Data</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Blog Entry</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/revisiting-per-se-vs-rule-of-reason-in-light-of-the-intel-conditional-rebate-case">Revisiting Per Se vs Rule of Reason in Light of the Intel Conditional Rebate Case</a> (Shruthi Anand; October 4, 2017).</li>
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<div><br /><strong>Event Organized</strong></div>
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<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/emerging-issues-in-the-internet-of-things">Emerging Issues in the Internet of Things</a> (CIS, Bengaluru; October 23, 2017). Andrew Rens gave a talk.</li>
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<div><span style="text-align: justify; "><strong><strong>-----------------------------------</strong></strong><span style="text-align: justify; "> </span>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /><strong>----------------------------------- </strong><br /></strong><span>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Article </strong></p>
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<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-october-5-2017-npas-and-structural-issues">NPAs & Structural Issues</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; October 4, 2017).</li>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>-----------------------------------</strong><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><strong>----------------------------------- </strong><br /><span>The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><strong>Articles</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-october-9-digital-native-there-is-no-spoon-there-is-no-privacy">Digital Native: There is no spoon, There is no privacy</a> (Nishant Shah; October 9, 2017).</strong></li>
<li><strong><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-october-22-2017-digital-native-finger-on-the-buzzer">Digital Native: Finger on the buzzer</a> (Nishant Shah; October 22, 2017).</strong></li>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>-----------------------------------<br /></span><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS<br /></a><span>----------------------------------- </span></p>
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<p>The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p>► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a></li>
<li>Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a></li>
<li>Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li>Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a></li>
<li>E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a></li>
<li>E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a></li>
<li>List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>► Support Us</p>
<div>Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
<p>► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div>
<p>We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div><em>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</em>.</div>
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For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/october-2017-newsletter</a>
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No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2018-01-10T00:53:03ZPageNPAs & Structural Issues
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-october-5-2017-npas-and-structural-issues
<b>To fix one you need to fix the others.
</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The article was published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/npas-and-structural-issues-117100401381_1.html">Business Standard</a> on October 4, 2017 and <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/10/npas-structural-issues.html">Organizing India Blogspot </a>on October 5, 2017.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">An aspect of financial services often overlooked is that they serve as second-order infrastructure, essential for commerce, industry, and daily living. A disruption in the financial sector slows everything by cutting productivity. Other reasons for decline, such as structural issues in power supply, telecom/broadband, and in farming, are accepted as part of the landscape. That is why devising corrective measures is not so simple. Setting aside political considerations, misattribution does not help in problem-solving. Resolution needs root causes to be identified and addressed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Consider the example of the guillotine approach to non-performing assets (NPAs). Imagine if an inspection of water and sanitation in your locality were to result in the shutting off of the water supply because conditions are deemed unsanitary. There would be a scramble for sourcing water, while economic activity and productivity would tank. What if it were a metropolis, or the whole country?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This is what happened with the abrupt change in booking NPAs. From around 2.5 per cent between 2006 until 2011, they began to rise in 2012 (see Chart 1).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><img src="https://cis-india.org/home-images/copy_of_NPAs.png" alt="NPAs" class="image-inline" title="NPAs" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Public sector banks in particular responded to the government’s accommodative efforts after the 2008 crisis. As growth fell, NPAs rose, especially for long-gestation, regulation-dependent infrastructure loans. In 2015, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) adopted a hard line as the economy was gaining momentum after slumping in 2014 to 6 per cent. Earlier, the RBI was faulted for allowing the ever-greening of loans. An abrupt change without a gradual coming to terms to manage cash flows resulted in a crisis.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Leaving aside malpractice/fraud, NPAs resulted from factors such as aggressive, unsustainable lending, regulatory delays, the domestic and global slowdown, and commodity price shocks, as when export duties were imposed in Australia and Indonesia on coal. Cash flows drive demand, and a weak economy can make or break a business.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Apart from crippling banking and financial services, the consequences of the NPA shock were enormous, especially for sectors such as iron and steel, construction, power, telecom, transport, and agriculture, with knock-on effects on MSMEs across sectors. Could a phased, more gradual, differentiated approach have yielded better results? Probably, just as when water supply fails, interim arrangements involving pipes, equipment and tankers have to be made to tide over the crisis. For stressed loans, the requirements were for a differentiated approach to the category of wrongdoing, including overreach, and support for stressed sectors undergoing a downturn. The need was and is to prevent disruption in cash flows from a systemic perspective, conserving employment and assets in untainted enterprises with the potential for recovery. This also retains momentum and market sentiment to the extent possible.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Ways Out?</h3>
<ol style="text-align: justify; ">
<li>NPAs in the mid-90s were outrageously high. Yet, what followed especially after 2003 was high growth until the global financial crisis of 2008. The NPAs were reduced and ceased to be a problem (see Chart 1). One explanation is that banks did significant NPA provisioning from profits in bond trading, as interest rates on 10-year government bonds fell 8.1 per cent from 1997 to 2003. A booming economy from 2003 did the rest, although there were no changes in the underlying causes that led to the NPAs. Hence, bond trading could be a way out provided interest rates fall, and so could economic growth.</li>
<li>Regarding interest rates, the dilemma is of high rates for domestic savings because people save with banks in India, and for foreign investors in bonds, against low rates for consumer demand and for capital investment. Given our acute need for growth and misaligned real interest rates, this needs rectification (see Chart 2).<br /><br /><img src="https://cis-india.org/home-images/copy_of_Chart2.png" alt="Chart 2" class="image-inline" title="Chart 2" /><br /><br /></li>
<li>
<div id="_mcePaste">There’s a need to insulate banking from political influence, while ensuring rigorous procedures for evaluation and monitoring. Any system can be gamed, however, and to work well, players need competence, integrity, and the freedom to exercise both. Banks are not well suited for funding long-gestation infrastructure because their deposits are more short-term. This is an institutional and market deficiency that needs to be bridged through developing bond markets, and channeling long-duration funding from pensions and insurance.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id="_mcePaste">
<div id="_mcePaste">There are compounding effects from imposing the Aadhaar/UID without the requisite connectivity, processes and safeguards, likewise the hasty imposition of the goods and service tax (GST). There is little doubt of benefits when properly applied, but that needs time and support for thorough implementation; meanwhile, the immediate need is for relief. Rescue measures are needed to lighten the burden of the GST and its reporting requirements on MSMEs (up to a higher ceiling?) over a long period. Interim solutions could be flat rates for a larger set, augmented by support for implementation.</div>
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<div>Meanwhile, structural issues resulting in NPAs need to be fixed. Three obvious areas:</div>
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<li>Farming, with its large population, small holdings, outmoded practices, low productivity, and the issues around pricing. Pricing is an essential aspect, as are direct benefits, for example, subsidies through cash transfers depending on income. But simply increasing farm prices addresses only one aspect of a multifaceted problem. What’s needed is to change the way production and marketing are organised. Practicable strategies are needed for produce, perhaps like the approach in dairy farming for milk production and marketing. Systems need be designed (worked out) and implemented properly, with design elements to promote and safeguard honest, competent, disciplined behaviour. </li>
<li>Telecom and broadband services need policies based on a complete change of mindset and market structure, such as shared networks and equipment including spectrum, protection from anti-competitive action, and revenue sharing instead of auctions. </li>
<li>Electricity supply: Power generation and distribution are both stressed by low economic activity, while many states continue with lax practices of under-recoveries for electioneering.This cannot be resolved as long as profligacy and indiscipline continue.</li>
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For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-october-5-2017-npas-and-structural-issues'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-october-5-2017-npas-and-structural-issues</a>
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No publisherShyam PonappaTelecom2018-01-05T13:32:32ZBlog EntryRevamp Telecom Sector & Revive The Economy
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-september-8-2017-revamp-telecom-sector-and-revive-the-economy
<b>Share infrastructure and spectrum, and adopt revenue-sharing for growth. There’s little doubt our economy is facing a slough of problems, including misdirection and loss of momentum. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The Op-ed was <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/revamp-telecom-sector-revive-the-economy-117090700011_1.html">published in the Business Standard</a> on September 7, 2017 and <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/09/">re-posted in Organizing India Blogspot</a> the following day.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">Apart from the present government’s doings or omissions, other legacies have also contributed to this, such as the complacency of previous governments, the scams, the obduracy of the then Opposition, resulting in the attrition of parliamentary processes, and so on. This, followed by the persistently divisive approach of the incumbent government has effectively scuppered any possibility of convergent societal efforts. There’s no point attributing blame for the purposes of redeeming the situation. Instead, we must try to pick up the pieces.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Some things need doing, and urgently, but we (and especially our governments) seem to be avoiding them. Basic infrastructure is our most urgent need, apart from unifying leadership and social institutions. Certain systemic bases simply must be built and made available to organise and channel energies into constructive, productive activities and well-being, although it will be time-consuming and far from easy on our continental scale.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In infrastructure, broadband can yield the quickest and highest rewards (e.g., <i><a href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2010/10/broadband-for-education-training.html">http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2010/10/broadband-for-education-training.html</a></i>) by adopting policies that enable responsible access to existing resources, instead of continuing with self-imposed administrative restrictions. Everything else — energy, water and sewerage, and transportation — is more complex, and needs far more capital investment and organisation. What’s more, with good communications support, other infrastructure becomes easier to build and manage. On the face of it, the government seems to be addressing this. For example, an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) was formed three months ago to recommend solutions for the debt-laden telecom<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=telecom" target="_blank"> </a>sector. Interim reports did not augur well, though, suggesting there was no need for major policy changes because of signs of recovery. Unfortunately, the IMG’s final recommendations are on the same lines: Deferring spectrum and licence fee payments from 10 years to 16 years, and reducing interest charges by about 2 per cent. However, there is no reduction in licence fees or spectrum charges nor easing of spectrum limits on consolidation; interconnection charges will be decided by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and spectrum auctions will be after April 2018. But for an overleveraged, hypercompetitive sector, deferring the massive capital requirements for auctions by some months and other proposed measures doesn’t really change the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Will this enable the telecom sector to recover? Many operators and observers think not, including yours truly. The reasons below leave one wondering whether the IMG made their recommendations with full knowledge, or were not fully cognizant of the realities.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Why major changes are necessary </b> <b><br /></b> There are compelling reasons for radical policy interventions. A report by Strategy& (formerly Booz and Company, now part of PwC) suggests that telecom operators in developing countries have negative margins on data services (<i>see chart</i>). <br /> Source: <a href="https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/reports/connecting-the-world-media-report">https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/reports/connecting-the-world-media-report</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This is significant for India (<b>a</b>) because we need considerable growth in networks and delivery, (<b>b</b>) that is affordable, (<b>c</b>) yet sustainable, i.e., generates positive cash flows.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The reality is that the already troubled sector’s revenues fell steeply after Reliance Jio’s entry in 2016, and so did government revenues from licence and spectrum charges. Yet, having upended the sector’s finances, Jio paid only Rs 47.81 crore as licence fees and spectrum charges for the six months ending June 2017, or less than 1 per cent of total operator payments, since it had minimal revenues. By contrast, Bharti Airtel paid Rs 2,902.75 crore, Vodafone Rs 2,005.25 crore, and Idea Cellular Rs 1,677.67 crore. The sector is being severely weakened by this strategy as revenues and government collections collapse, resulting in deficient infrastructure.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">While high government revenues alone are the wrong criterion for telecom<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=telecom" target="_blank"> </a>policies, this shows how the sector’s finances were gutted, and the likely reality going forward. A recent report by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) expects revenues to fall up to 10 per cent for the year, with the sector settling down over 12-24 months. But that is merely one surmise; the certainty is of continuing damage to the market’s ability to sustain itself, as well as the reality of reduced operating revenues and government collections.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">These disruptive practices are hollowing out industry capacity, whereas the country’s need is for more capacity to be built for broader and better access, given under 300 million data subscribers. Adequate network access needs to be built up in underserved areas, and appropriate content and linkages have to be built for the full range of user needs covering education, health, and entertainment through government and commercial services. <br /> Only the government can develop appropriate policies and regulations, including levying no more than reasonable charges (high government charges have constrained India’s communications development). After the sector stalled in 1997-98, there was a partial remedy by the National Democratic Alliance through NTP-99, substituting a revenue-sharing arrangement for fees owed through auctions. The government’s share was initially too high, but as it was gradually reduced and as competition increased, mobile telephony grew explosively, as did government revenues (<i>see: <a href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/04/facts-not-beliefs-should-drive-policies.html">http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/04/facts-not-beliefs-should-drive-policies.html</a></i>).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">For a similar explosive surge in broadband economic revival, we need policy decisions urgently that: <b><br /></b> <b>a</b>) Adopt infrastructure sharing fully to reduce costs. Do this through two or three consortiums to have competition, with government entities anchoring each. For instance, 70 per cent of Sweden is covered by a shared network between Telenor and Hi3G, which is shared outside the major cities. For shared networks, equipment is readily available to support multiple operators; we need the enabling policies. <br /> <b>b</b>) Approach spectrum as a shared public resource. For assigned spectrum, allow licensed operators and manufacturers/developers secondary access (primary holder retains priority), at reasonable revenue-sharing charges, without up-front fees. Start with unused or under-used frequencies such as TV White Space. <br /> <b>c</b>) Allocate spectrum for Wi-Fi conforming to global standards to benefit from ecosystems, e.g., 5 GHz and 60 GHz. <br /> This will enable maximum utilisation of spectrum and networks for the common good, instead of artificially restricting access as is the practice today. We will all benefit greatly from better networks and services, and government revenues will exceed any conceivable auction fees.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i>Shyam (no-space) Ponappa at gmail dot com</i></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-september-8-2017-revamp-telecom-sector-and-revive-the-economy'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-september-8-2017-revamp-telecom-sector-and-revive-the-economy</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaTelecom2017-10-11T02:53:51ZBlog EntryA New Telecom Policy That Works
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-august-2-2017-a-new-telecom-policy-that-works
<b>A sound NTP-2018 requires sustainable, integrated policies that address our realities. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">First published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/a-new-telecom-policy-that-works-117080201897_1.html">Business Standard</a> on August 2 and mirrored on <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/08/a-new-telecom-policy-that-works.html">Organizing India Blogspot</a> on August 3, 2017.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The government finally announced in July that a new telecom policy (NTP-2018) in consultation with stakeholders would be in place by March 2018. There’s been some jockeying for one-up statements thereafter, suggesting the risk of being sidetracked. The need for competent, supportive policies in the public interest must be focussed and driven, and not be allowed to fall prey to being hijacked by bluster, nor be diverted towards maximising government revenues, crony interests, or electioneering tub-thumping. <br /> <br /> A quick review of the sector and potential demand indicates what’s needed to fulfil our requirements. Telecom operators are saddled with Rs 4.6 lakh crore of high-interest debt. This has resulted from aggressive bids spurred on by spectrum auctions, aggravated by shrinking revenues and price wars. Meanwhile, urgent concurrent needs for network investment for greater reach and delivery, and for realising more of the potential for extensive and intensive usage, languish — for want of capital, enabling policies, and orderly markets. This has resulted in a crisis in what could have become the most successful communications market in the world. Instead, India’s communications sector is partly on the brink of collapse because of retrogressive policies and practices, unsustainable financial models, the fallout of scandal, and disruptive competition. <br /> <br /> The best way forward is for all government agencies, not just the Department of Telecommunications, to define objectives jointly, and devise policies through consultations to enable an effective and robust sector. Here are suggestions for what to aim for and what to avoid in developing NTP-2018. <br /> <br /> <b>Objectives for NTP-2018</b> <br /> <br /> <b>1. Networks: maximise capacity utilisation/throughput</b> <br /> <br /> Maximise the utilisation of networks by increasing throughput. This requires exploring alternative forms of organisation and management to exploit invested capital for public interest objectives, e.g., through consortiums, perhaps with government participation to ensure national security and the common good. Orderly markets are essential in communications (as in all infrastructure), and competition, while essential, is not constructive beyond a point, unlike in fast-moving consumer goods or non-capital intensive sectors. <br /> <br /> <b>2. Spectrum allocation and management: Maximise throughput</b> <br /> <br /> Maximise wireless throughput to facilitate connectivity, by: a) Making more spectrum available, (b) In large, contiguous bands, (c) At less cost. Explore pooled usage and secondary sharing of spectrum by operators/consortiums as appropriate (consult with operators and experts). <br /> <br /> <b>3. Financial approach: Use revenue sharing</b> <br /> <br /> Use revenue sharing to compensate for spectrum and network rights, usage, and all government charges, as was done with licence fees in NTP-99. <br /> <br /> <b>Pitfalls to avoid</b> <br /> <br /> <b>1. Palliative “default solutions”</b> <br /> <br /> It is easier to tinker with policies as they are than to undertake major systemic change. An easy way out would be to fall back on the received wisdom of competition and free markets, hoping to muddle through. For instance, the government set up an inter-ministerial group (IMG) to reduce financial stress in telecom. This group has apparently recommended extending payment schedules from 10 to 16 years, and cutting interest rates from 12 to 8 per cent.1 These sops could become the basis of NTP-2018, leaving the market to shake out, hoping consolidation will remedy inadequate coverage and delivery.2 This will merely reschedule operators’ payments over a longer period. The structural problems will remain, with insufficient network coverage, barriers to technology, less likely benefits from innovation such as “wireless fibre” and small cells with lower radiation, with hyper-competitiveness still a drag. <br /> <br /> <b>2. Rely on consultations and avoid preconceived ideas</b> <br /> <br /> Statements such as that NTP-2018<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=ntp+2018" target="_blank"> </a>will be app-directed and not connectivity-directed appear inappropriate or misinformed. This is because connectivity remains our most critical need for more effective delivery of services. Connectivity is deficient not only in rural and semi-urban areas, but even in dense urban areas. In fact, ignoring connectivity is typical of India’s approach to and failure in building networks and infrastructure (incomplete systems because of gaps, or with stranded assets, or that fail in end-to-end delivery). Simply put, our requirement is for more user-access and backhaul/networks to enable higher, more widely available access and throughput. This is India’s communications infrastructure need, whether it is broadband or Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Everything else follows. Otherwise, it’s like trying to deliver more water without a network of pipelines, or more electricity without adequate distribution networks. <br /> <br /> <b>3. Anti-competitive disruption</b> <br /> <br /> While disruption is a reality in our communications sector, its jurisdiction has become contentious between the Competition Commission of India<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=competition+commission+of+india" target="_blank"> </a>(CCI) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=telecom+regulatory+authority+of+india" target="_blank"> </a>(TRAI). The CCI reportedly asserted that the Competition Act<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=competition+act" target="_blank"> </a>of 2002 defines “predatory price”, “dominant position”, and “relevant markets”, which fall in its domain, and that it has applied this framework over the last eight years across sectors including telecom.3 <br /> <br /> Turf issues are not unique to India, and have been resolved in many countries. Secretary General Pradeep Mehta of Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) points out that in 2011, a committee recommended amending the Competition Act to include mandatory consultation between the CCI<a class="storyTags" href="http://www.business-standard.com/search?type=news&q=cci" target="_blank"> </a>and sector regulators where necessary. <br /> <br /> A puzzling question if the telecom sector was in fact being monitored: Why was such disruption permitted? From press reports, it’s unclear whether there are no appropriate regulations, or whether the CCI’s and/or TRAI’s assessments of dominance and predatory pricing rely on precedents from developed economies without appropriate changes for our circumstances. To illustrate, consider the notion that market share is a key criterion for dominance, or Significant Market Power (European Commission). However, in a developing economy, a large conglomerate investing in a new sector could have SMP even with zero market share, simply because of its size and resources, and economic power (attributes in Section 19(4) of The Competition Act). The European Commission also mentions privileged access to financial resources, economies of scale and scope, and barriers to entry. <br /> <br /> A sound NTP-2018 requires sustainable and integrated end-to-end policies for our realities, not academic or silo-based orthodoxies. <br /> <br /></p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Shyam (no space) Ponappa at gmail dot com <br /> 1: “Govt panel for sops to ease financial stress in telecom sector”, <i>BS</i>, July 25, 2017: <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/img-readies-sops-to-ease-telecom-stress-117072401632_1.html">http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/img-readies-sops-to-ease-telecom-stress-117072401632_1.html</a> <br /> 2: “Short-term turbulence”, <i>BS</i>, July 29, 2017: <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/short-term-turbulence-in-telecom-sector-117072900022_1.html">http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/short-term-turbulence-in-telecom-sector-117072900022_1.html</a> <br /> 3. "CCI tells Trai to consult it on predatory pricing, market dominance issues", BS, July 28, 2017: <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/pricing-market-dominance-its-remit-cci-tells-trai-117072800069_1.html">http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/pricing-market-dominance-its-remit-cci-tells-trai-117072800069_1.html</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-august-2-2017-a-new-telecom-policy-that-works'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-august-2-2017-a-new-telecom-policy-that-works</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaTelecom2017-09-12T13:54:47ZBlog EntryJuly 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/july-2017-newsletter
<b></b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/why-gst-is-a-step-backward-for-the-disabled">article published in the Huffington Post</a> on July 1, 2017, Nirmita Narasimhan stated that imposing taxes on assistive devices is unfair. It is unconscionable that disability aids and assistive technology are considered a luxury and taxed at a higher rate than rough semi-precious stones or cashew nuts.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">A <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT610_com_zimbra_url"><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/patent-working-requirements-and-complex-products-an-empirical-assessment-of-indias-form-27-practice-and-compliance" target="_blank">research paper on patent working requirements and complex products</a></span> in India authored by Prof Jorge L. Contreras, University of Utah, and Rohini Lakshané, CIS has been accepted for publication in the Jindal Global Law School Law Review 2017.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Negotiators from 16 countries met in Hyderabad for discussing a free trade agreement titled Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Anubha Sinha along with Arul George Scaria reported this <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/live-law-arul-george-scaria-and-anubha-sinha-live-law-rcep-ip-chapter-serious-threat-access-knowledge-cultural-goods">in an article published by Live Law.in</a>. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Supreme Court of India while dismissing an appeal by the Indian Reprographic Rights Organization ruled that there was no copyright infringement and no licence was required since the activities fell under the education exception in Indian copyright law. <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/eifl-anubha-sinha-july-12-2017-course-packs-for-education-ruled-legal-in-india">In an article published by EIFL</a>, Anubha Sinha discusses the judgment and what it means for access to educational materials in India.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Odia Wikipedians, in conjunction with Indian Athletics Federation and Sports and Youth Services collaborated to document the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships. Hundreds of photos were uploaded and new Wikipedia content added to inform the event’s fans, <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/asian-athletics-championships-2017">wrote Sailesh Patnaik and Jnanaranjan Sahu in a blog post</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">As recently as May 27, 2016, the General Data Protection Regulation (REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 was adopted The Data Protection Directive (1995/46/EC) will be replaced by this Regulation. It is expected that under this Regulation data privacy will be strengthened. Aditi Chaturvedi <a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/files/GDPR_IndustrySheet_07.pdf">analyses the developments in a report</a>.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/biometric-update-july-4-2017-justin-lee-uidai-declining-multiple-requests-by-police-to-share-indian-citizens-biometrics">UIDAI declining multiple requests by police to share Indian citizens’ biometrics</a> (Justin Lee; Biometrics; July 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-july-5-2017-sanjay-kumar-singh-act-now-to-protect-yourself-against-future-ransomware-attacks">Act now to protect yourself against future ransomware attacks</a> (Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; July 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-july-10-2017-reliance-jio-data-leaked-on-website-report">Reliance Jio data leaked on website : report</a> (Livemint; July 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-priyanka-mittal-july-12-2017-supreme-court-sets-up-constitution-bench-to-hear-aadhaar-privacy-issues">Supreme Court sets up constitution bench to hear Aadhaar privacy issues</a> (Priyanka Mittal; Livemint; July 12, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-sanjeeb-mukherjee-july-14-2017-centre-to-form-panel-to-encrypt-mgnrega-dbt-database-and-prevent-leaks">Centre to form panel to 'encrypt' MGNREGA-DBT database and prevent leaks</a> (Sanjeeb Mukherjee; Business Standard; July 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/reuters-july-14-2017-rahul-bhatia-and-sankalp-phartiyal-calls-for-law-change-after-indians-left-in-dark-over-data-leaks">Calls for law change after Indians left in dark over data leaks</a> (Rahul Bhatia and Sankalp Phartiyal; Reuters; July 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/pymnts-july-17-2017-indians-call-for-more-stringent-data-protection-laws">Indians Call For More Stringent Data Protection Laws</a> (PYMTNS; July 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-wire-gaurav-vivek-bhatnagar-july-16-2017-social-activist-alleges-threat-by-police-officer-over-possession-of-aadhaar">Social Activist Alleges Threat By Police Officer Over Possession of Aadhaar</a> (Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar; Wire; July 16, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-today-july-19-2017-aadhaar-privacy-key-issues-that-all-aadhaar-card-holders-should-bear-in-mind">Aadhaar privacy: Key issues that all Aadhaar card holders should bear in mind</a> (Business Today, July 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-kiran-parashar-km-july-26-2017-data-in-the-open-makes-it-easy-for-cyber-criminals">Data in the open makes it easy for cyber criminals</a> (Kiran Parashar KM; New Indian Express; July 26, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>CIS members wrote the following articles</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/why-gst-is-a-step-backward-for-the-disabled">Why GST Is A Step Backward For The Disabled</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; Huffington Post; July 1, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/eifl-anubha-sinha-july-12-2017-course-packs-for-education-ruled-legal-in-india">Course Packs for Education Ruled Legal in India</a> (Anubha Sinha; EIFL; July 12, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-july-16-2017-digital-native-not-only-words">Digital native: Not only words</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; July 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/economic-times-july-23-2017-amber-sinha-aadhar-privacy-is-not-a-unidimensional-concept">Aadhar: Privacy is not a unidimensional concept</a> (Amber Sinha; Economic Times; July 23, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/live-law-arul-george-scaria-and-anubha-sinha-live-law-rcep-ip-chapter-serious-threat-access-knowledge-cultural-goods">RCEP IP Chapter: A Serious Threat to Access to Knowledge/ Cultural Goods?</a> (Arul George Scaria and Anubha Sinha; July 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-july-30-2017-digital-native-ever-on-the-go-digital-india-mobility">Digital native: Ever on the go</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; July 30, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Article</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/why-gst-is-a-step-backward-for-the-disabled">Why GST Is A Step Backward For The Disabled</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; Huffington Post; July 1, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Pervasive Technologies and Copyright</p>
<p><b>Research Paper<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/patent-working-requirements-and-complex-products-an-empirical-assessment-of-indias-form-27-practice-and-compliance">Patent Working Requirements and Complex Products: An Empirical Assessment of India's Form 27 Practice and Compliance</a> (Jorge L. Contreras and Rohini Lakshané; SSRN and Jindal Global Law School Review; July 17, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p>Participation in Event</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/news/19th-rcep-meeting">19th RCEP Meeting</a> (Organized by Ministry of Commerce, Government of India; July 17 - 28, 2017; Hyderabad). Anubha Sinha participated in the meeting.<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i>Note: The events were organized earlier but reports were published in July 2017</i>:</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/christ-university-wikipedia-education-program-internship">Christ University Wikipedia Education Program Internship</a> (Manasa Rao and Ananth Subray; July 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/christ-university-wikipedia-education-program-faculty-orientation-report">Christ University Wikipedia Education Program Faculty Orientation Report</a> (Ananth Subray; July 7, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/how-it-came-to-be-wiki-loves-uniformed-services">How It Came To Be: Wiki Loves Uniformed Services</a> (Krishna Chaitanya Velaga; July 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/tallapaka-pada-sahityam-is-now-on-wikisource">Tallapaka Pada Sahityam is now on Wikisource</a> (Pavan Santhosh; July 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/thematic-edit-a-thon-at-yashawantrao-chavan-institute-of-science-satara">Thematic Edit-a-thon at Yashawantrao Chavan Institute of Science, Satara</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; July 11, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/asian-athletics-championships-2017">Asian Athletics Championships 2017 Edit-a-thon</a> (Sailesh Patnaik and Jnanaranjan Sahu; July 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/data-protection-understanding-the-general-data-protection-regulation">Data Protection: Understanding the General Data Protection Regulation</a> (Aditi Chaturvedi; July 4, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ivir-summer-course-on-privacy-law-and-policy">IViR Summer Course on Privacy Law and Policy</a> (Organized by the University of Amsterdam; July 3 - 7, 2017; Amsterdam). Amber Sinha attended the course.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
</ul>
<p>►Free Speech and Expression and Cyber Security</p>
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ohd-on-consultation-paper-on-net-neutrality">OHD on Consultation Paper on Net Neutrality </a>(Organized by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India; July 25, 2017). Pranesh Prakash was a speaker.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/asia-pacific-regional-internet-governance-forum-aprigf-2017">UNESCO Multistakeholder consultation at 8th Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum</a> (APrIGF) (Organized by UNESCO; Bangkok; July 26 - 29, 2017). Sunil Abraham was a speaker. Vidhushi Marda also participated in the event.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/cybersecurity-workshop-spotlight-on-gccs-2017">Cybersecurity Workshop: Spotlight On GCCS 2017</a> (Organized by Global Partners Digital (GPD) and the Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi, in collaboration with Digital Empowerment Foundation, Digital Asia Hub and Open Net Korea; Bangkok; July 25 - 27, 2017). Sunil Abraham was a speaker. Udbhav Tiwari and Vidushi Marda participated in the event.</li>
</ul>
<p>----------------------------------- <br /><b><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /><b> </b></b>----------------------------------- <br /> CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/workshop-on-public-open-wi-fi-pilot">Workshop on Public Open Wi-Fi Pilot</a> (Organized by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India; July 25, 2017). Pranesh Prakash was a speaker.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="https://cis-india.org/raw/firstfridayatcis-dr-prerna-prabhakar-impact-of-digitisation-of-land-recods-in-rural-india-july-07">Dr. Prerna Prabhakar - Impact of Digitisation of Land Records in Rural India</a> (CIS, New Delhi; July 7, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b></div>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/july-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/july-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-08-23T02:03:19ZPageBroadband Reforms for Local Manufacturing
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-june-5-business-standard-and-organizing-india-blogspot-broadband-reforms-for-local-manufacturing
<b>Broadband in India needs reforms for local manufacturing and for infrastructure expansion and utilisation.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The article was published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/broadband-reforms-for-local-manufacturing-117053101806_1.html">Business Standard</a> on May 31, 2017 and in <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/06/broadband-reforms-for-local.html">Organizing India Blogspot</a> on June 5, 2017.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">India’s markets are at the heart of what attracts investment and economic activity, with mobile phones and broadband services comprising a significant share. In exploring their magnitude and supply chains, an obvious need emerges for policies and incentives for local manufacturing of components and handsets to boost domestic supply and create employment. Another avenue for deriving local benefits is extending the coverage of digital platforms, expanding the market through policies and incentives facilitating broadband infrastructure. Policy support can help both to extend networks using fixed and wireless technologies, as well as to increase capacity utilisation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Reforms affecting both supply and demand are needed to fully and equitably provide ubiquitous coverage and exploit digital platforms for public welfare. Such reforms would mitigate the lower revenue potential of rural populations. Enabling steps could include allowing active sharing of spectrum and networks, providing more unlicensed spectrum, financial incentives such as tax credits and spectrum charge rebates for rural infrastructure, and standardised right-of-way charges.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">India’s Mobile Handset Market</h3>
<p class="callout">"A billion smartphones will be sold in India in [the] next five years."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">This estimate is from a report by IIM-Bangalore and CounterPoint Researchers.<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1]</a> The report notes that India became the second-largest global smartphone market in terms of number of users in early 2016, and still has enormous growth potential even as demand for smartphones elsewhere is waning. In the next five years, almost a billion smartphones and half a billion feature phones will require components worth $80 billion (Rs 5.2 lakh crore). These will have to be imported if they are not produced locally. The report estimates that in 2016, about 50 local units assembled over 180 million mobile phones valued at $9 billion (about Rs 59,000 crore), about 70 per cent of the $13 billion sold. However, the local value addition was only $650 million (Rs 4,225 crore, or 7.2 per cent). This underscores an urgent need for policy changes, considering that emerging manufacturers in these sectors such as Brazil and Vietnam have value added of nearly 20 per cent and over 30 per cent, respectively, while champions such as South Korea and Taiwan add above 50 per cent, and China has 70 per cent local value added.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">In early 2016, India’s domestic smartphones had a 40 per cent market share, but by the quarter ending March 2017, Chinese brands dominated, with a share of over 51 per cent, while local brands dropped to under 14 per cent.<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">According to the IIM-B/CounterPoint Researchers report, Indian manufacturers import most of their components, and there are few incentives for R&D or to attract component suppliers to form local ecosystems. Further, the existing incentives will become ineffective once the goods and services tax (GST) is introduced, because they will all be subsumed under GST. Accordingly, the Broadband India Forum in association with EY have suggested (a) refunding the GST to manufacturers for handsets and (b) extending this policy to components could provide an appropriate manufacturing incentive.<a href="#fn3" name="fr3">[3] </a>This needs to be done without delay.<a href="#fn4" name="fr4">[4] </a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The report also proposes a phased approach to maximise local value added, aiming for 30 per cent by 2020, and more thereafter. Early phases suggested are moving from assembling chargers and other such accessories to high-value components such as printed circuit boards, cameras and display units. The researchers suggest that chargers, batteries and cameras can in fact be manufactured locally, contributing to components valued at an estimated $15 billion by 2020. If these proposals are adopted and executed, it will reduce imports and create jobs, deriving local benefits from India’s market opportunities. Moreover, it will help create an R&D capability in India for this sector, which can over time become a supplier to global markets.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The prerequisite for these improvements is policy reforms on matters such as duties on components (including the refund of GST) and incentives for suppliers to set up in India. The report also suggests that policies need to be framed for effectively funding institutions and corporations for research to build intellectual property and skilled professionals.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">Extending Digital Infrastructure & Utilisation</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There is a parallel need for policies supporting the extension and coverage of digital platforms, of the sort achieved in migrating from up-front auction fees to revenue sharing with the New Telecom Policy in 1999 (NTP-99). These require convergent action within the government and its multifarious departments and agencies, or in some cases by coordination and resolution among stakeholders, i.e., in addition to the agencies of government, the judiciary, the operators and vendors of equipment, the press and media, and the public.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">There are some issues that relate to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (Trai) recommendations over the years that need decisions on implementation. An example is access to broadband services through cable networks. The government’s position on additional charges as a share of revenues conflicts with cable operators’ unwillingness to pay additional charges, and perhaps the cost of the devices for conversion. The effect of this deadlock is that the entire set of cable network users have to use another means for broadband connectivity. As this policy change will affect the competitive dynamics of wireless service providers, it is a candidate for coordinated, participative resolution. Some Trai recommendations may benefit from review, such as open access (like Wi-Fi) on 60 GHz.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Other examples are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Enabling additional bands of unused spectrum such as 60 GHz and 70/80 GHz for wireless gigabit links, and </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Enabling the sharing of entire networks, including the radio access network (and therefore spectrum) among operators.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The promise of digital platforms is immense, and both these streams of reforms need to be taken up and completed for India’s digital platforms and markets to deliver on their considerable potential.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. <span><span>“Mobile Phone Manufacturing: A Practical Phased Approach,” by Pathak, Chatterjee and Shah: <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2874689">https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2874689</a> <br /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. <span><span><a href="http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prAP42557317">http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prAP42557317</a> <br /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr3" name="fn3">3</a>]. <span><span><a href="http://www.communicationstoday.co.in/index.php/daily-news/6710-broadband-india-forum-with-ey-releases-the-research-paper-on-incentivizing-domestic-handset-manfacturing-under-gst">http://www.communicationstoday.co.in/index.php/daily-news/6710-broadband-india-forum-with-ey-releases-the-research-paper-on-incentivizing-domestic-handset-manfacturing-under-gst </a></span></span><span>Added after publication - June 6, 2017</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr4" name="fn4">4</a>]. For a detailed exposition of the GST question and why raising customs duties on imported equipment/components is not feasible because of the terms of the Information Technology Agreement 1997 under the WTO, see: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/incentivising-manufacturing-mobile-phones-india-parag-kar">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/incentivising-manufacturing-mobile-phones-india-parag-kar</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-june-5-business-standard-and-organizing-india-blogspot-broadband-reforms-for-local-manufacturing'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-june-5-business-standard-and-organizing-india-blogspot-broadband-reforms-for-local-manufacturing</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaTelecom2017-07-05T02:03:24ZBlog EntryMay 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/may-2017-newsletter
<b>Welcome to the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS) newsletter for May 2017. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/information-security-practices-of-aadhaar-or-lack-thereof-a-documentation-of-public-availability-of-aadhaar-numbers-with-sensitive-personal-financial-information-1">compiled a report that highlighted four government projects run by various government departments</a> that have made sensitive personal financial information and Aadhaar numbers public on the project websites.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Article 19 had put out a call for applications for its Internet of Rights Fellowship in February 2017. Vidushi Marda was <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/vidushi-marda-selected-for-internet-of-rights-fellowship">selected for Internet of Rights Fellowship</a>. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-policy-on-it-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities">gave inputs on a document on implementing digital accessibility</a> to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on May 2, 2017. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The 34th session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) was held in Geneva from May 1 to 5, 2017. Anubha Sinha participated in the event and a summary report is available <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-a-summary-report">here</a>. She made statements on behalf of CIS on the <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-cis-statement-on-the-discussion-on-limitations-and-exceptions-for-libraries-and-archives">Discussion on Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives</a> and on the <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-cis-statement-on-the-proposal-for-analysis-of-copyright-related-to-the-digital-environment">Proposal for Analysis of Copyright Related to the Digital Environment</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS-A2K’s widely well-regarded flagship skill building program, Train The Trainer and MediaWiki Training was conducted in Kolkata earlier this year. Tito Dutta <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/mini-ttt-and-mwt-held-in-kolkata">captured the developments in a blog post</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Although it has made the topographic maps or the Open Series Maps available to general public, Survey of India’s (SoI) Nakshe portal will have to go through a variety of litmus test, as the initiative fails to implement the mandates of public sharing of government data using open standards and open license as put forward by the NMP 2005 and NDSAP 2012, said Sumandro Chattapadhyay <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/survey-of-india-open-series-maps-fails-to-implement-public-sharing-of-govt-data">in an interview with Geospatial World</a> on May 02, 2017.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an interview with <a class="external-link" href="https://nettime.org/Lists-Archives/nettime-l-1705/msg00001.html">nettime.org</a>, Geert Lovink discussed with Ramesh Srinivasan Tech Anthropology Today and "<a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/tech-anthropology-today-collaborate-rather-than-fetishize-from-afar">how can we embrace the realities of communities too-often relegated to the margins"</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an article <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-may-3-2017-shyam-ponappa-policies-to-sustain-indias-market">published in the Business Standard</a> on May 3, 2017, Shyam Ponappa examined whether policies can be better framed to harness the market potential. Why is so much investment flowing into India's securities markets?</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-wire-may-1-2015-130-million-aadhaar-numbers-were-made-public-says-new-report">130 Million Aadhaar Numbers Were Made Public, Says New Report</a> (The Wire; May 1, 2017 and MensXP.com; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/bloomberg-quint-may-2-2017-mahima-kapoor-aadhaar-details-of-people-available-on-govt-sites">Aadhaar Details Of 13.5 Crore People Available On Government Sites</a> (Mahima Kapoor; Bloomberg Quint; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/pti-news-may-2-2017-aadhaar-numbers-of-135mn-may-have-leaked-claims-cis-report">Aadhaar numbers of 135 mn may have leaked, claims CIS report</a> (Press Trust of India; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindustan-times-may-2-2017-details-of-135-million-aadhaar-card-holders-may-have-leaked-claims-cis-report">Details of 135 million Aadhaar card holders may have leaked, claims CIS report</a> (Hindustan Times; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/newslaundry-shruti-menon-may-2-2017-uidai-remains-silent-on-aadhaar-leaks-of-users-through-govt-portals">UIDAI remains silent on #Aadhaarleaks of 13 crore users through government portals</a> (Shruti Menon; Newslaundry; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/amar-bazar-patrika-may-2-2017-13-crore-aadhaar-leaked-due-to-poor-security-in-4-govt-websites">১৩ কোটি আধার তথ্য ফাঁস চার সরকারি পোর্টাল থেকে! বিস্ফোরক দাবি রিপোর্টে</a> (Amar Bazar Patrika; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-may-2-2017-akram-mohammed-13-crore-aadhaar-numbers-on-four-government-websites-compromised">13 crore Aadhaar numbers on four government websites compromised: Report</a> (Akram Mohammed; New Indian Express; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/dna-may-2-2017-report-aadhaar-numbers-of-135-mn-may-have-leaked-claims-cis-report">Aadhaar numbers of 135 mn may have leaked, claims CIS report</a> (DNA; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/manorama-may-2-2017-jikku-varghese-jacob-biggest-blast-on-aadhaar-leak-so-far-govt-sites-leaked-data-of-13-crore-people">Biggest blast on Aadhaar leak so far: govt sites leaked data of 13 crore people</a> (Jikku Varghese Jacob; Manorama; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/scroll-may-2-2017-around-13-crore-aadhaar-numbers-easily-available-on-government-portals-says-report">Around 13 crore Aadhaar numbers easily available on government portals, says report</a> (Scroll.in; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/one-india-may-2-2017-anusha-ravi-what-privacy-13-crore-aadhaar-numbers-accessible-on-governmental-portals">What privacy? 13 crore Aadhaar numbers accessible on government portals</a> (Anusha Ravi; Oneindia; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-may-2-2017-komal-gupta-govt-may-have-made-135-million-aadhaar-numbers-public-cis-report">Govt may have made 135 million Aadhaar numbers public: CIS report</a> (Komal Gupta; Livemint; May 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/times-of-india-may-5-2017-aadhaar-numbers-of-135-mn-may-have-leaked-claims-cis-report">Aadhaar numbers of 135 mn may have leaked, claims CIS report</a> (The Times of India; May 2, 2017)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindu-krishnadas-rajagopal-may-3-2017-aadhaar-data-leaks-not-from-uidai">Aadhaar data leaks not from UIDAI: Centre</a> (Krishnadas Rajagopal; Hindu; May 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-register-richard-chirgwin-may-3-2017-135-million-indian-government-payment-card-details-leaked">135 MEELLION Indian government payment card details leaked</a> (Richard Chirgwin; The Register; May 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/indian-express-may-3-2017-aadhaar-data-of-over-13-crore-people-exposed-new-report">Aadhaar data of over 13 crore people exposed: New report</a> (Indian Express; May 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/india-times-bobin-abraham-may-3-2017-in-the-biggest-data-leak-info-of-13-crore-aadhaar-card-holders-has-been-compromised-and-is-available-online">In The Biggest Data Leak, Info Of 13 Crore Aadhaar Card Holders Has Been Compromised And Is Available Online</a> (Bobins Abraham; The Times of India; May 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/medianama-nikhil-pahwa-may-4-2017-around-130-135-m-aadhaar-numbers-published-on-four-sites-alone">Around 130-135M Aadhaar Numbers published on 4 sites alone</a> (Nikhil Pahwa; Medianama; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-rohith-jyothish-may-5-2017-aadhaar-the-largest-biometric-database-globally-but-it-is-leaky-by-design">Aadhaar's the largest biometric database globally but it is leaky by design</a> (Rohith Jyotish; Global Voices; May 2, 2017 and Business Standard; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-news-minute-rakesh-mehar-may-4-2017-why-aadhaar-leaks-should-worry-you-and-is-biometrics-really-safe">Why Aadhaar leaks should worry you, and is biometrics really safe?</a> (Rakesh Mehar; Newsminute; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/medianama-vivek-pai-may-4-2017-indian-govt-says-it-is-still-drafting-privacy-law">Indian Government says it is still drafting privacy law, but doesn’t give timelines</a> (Vivek Pai; Medianama; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/aaj-tak-may-4-2017-135-million-aadhaar-number-leaked-by-govt-website-cis-report">आधार नंबर, नाम, पता, बैंक अकाउंट और दूसरी संवेदनशील जानकारियां लीक: CIS रिपोर्ट</a> (Aaj Tak; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ndtv-may-4-2017-manas-pratap-singh-government-knew-of-mega-aadhaar-leak-ministries-were-warned">With digitisation at the forefront, government departments need to be cautious about digital security</a> (Manas Pratap Singh; NDTV; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-may-4-2017-aijaz-hussain-kashmir-telecom-firms-struggle-to-block-22-banned-social-media-sites">Kashmir: Telecom firms struggle to block 22 banned social media sites </a>(Aijaz Hussain; Livemint; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/india-today-may-4-2017-aadhaar-data-of-130-millions-bank-account-details-leaked-from-govt-websites-report">Aadhaar data of 130 millions, bank account details leaked from govt websites: Report</a> (India Today; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/bbc-news-soutik-biswas-may-4-2017-aadhaar-are-a-billion-identities-at-risk-on-indias-biometric-database">Aadhaar: Are a billion identities at risk on India's biometric database</a> (Soutik Biswas; BBC News; May 4, 2017 and Rawlson King; Biometric Update.com; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/counterview-may-5-2017-135-million-aadhaar-details-100-million">135 million aadhaar details, 100 million bank accounts "leaked" from government websites: Researchers</a> (Counterview; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-times-of-india-kim-arora-may-5-2017-suicide-videos-facebook-beefs-up-team-to-monitor-content">Suicide videos: Facebook beefs up team to monitor content</a> (Kim Arora; The Times of India; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-may-5-2017-anirban-sen-aadhaar-assurances-fail-to-assuage-privacy-concerns">Aadhaar assurances fail to assuage privacy concerns</a> (Anirban Sen; Livemint; May 5, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/newsminute-may-6-2017-a-13-year-olds-rape-in-tn-highlights-the-major-threat-online-sexual-grooming-poses-to-children">A 13-year-old's rape in TN highlights the major threat online sexual grooming poses to children</a> (Priyanka Thirumurthy; May 6, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-may-6-2017-experts-stress-on-need-for-enhanced-security">Experts stress on need for enhanced security</a> (New Indian Express; May 6, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-wire-may-10-2017-shreyashi-roy-taking-cognisance-of-the-deeply-flawed-system-that-is-aadhaar">Taking Cognisance of the Deeply Flawed System That Is Aadhaar</a> (Shreyashi Roy; Wire; May 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/deccan-herald-may-11-2017-plug-data-leak-before-imposing-aadhaar">Plug data leak before imposing Aadhaar</a> (Deccan Herald; May 11, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-indian-express-may-11-2017-aadhaar-data-leak-take-precautions-while-sharing-info-on-websites-meity-tells-all-depts">Aadhaar data leak: Take precautions while sharing info on websites, MEITy tells all depts</a> (Indian Express; May 11, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-sanjay-kumar-singh-aadhaar-security-here-is-how-your-private-information-can-be-protected">Aadhaar security: Here's how your private information can be protected</a> (Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; May 11, 2017).</li>
<li> <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/global-voices-rohith-jyothish-may-31-2017-online-troll-attack-critics-of-indias-aadhaar-state-id-system">Online Trolls Attack Critics of India's Aadhaar State ID System</a> (Rohith Jyothish; Global Voices; May 31, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/los-angeles-times-shashank-bengali-may-12-2017-india-is-building-a-biometric-database-for-1.3-billion-people-and-enrollment-is-mandatory">India is building a biometric database for 1.3 billion people — and enrollment is mandatory</a> (Shashank Bengali; Los Angeles Times; May 12, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-may-13-2017-alnoor-peermohamed-and-raghu-krishnan-aadhaar-has-become-a-whipping-boy-nandan-nilekani">Watch: Aadhaar has become a whipping boy: Nandan Nilekani</a> (Alnoor Peermohamed and Raghu Krishnan; Business Standard; May 13, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/x-conomy-benjamin-romano-may-16-2017-partnership-on-ai-adds-corporate-ngo-members-charts-initial-course">Partnership on AI Adds Corporate, NGO Members, Charts Initial Course</a> (Benjamin Romano; Xconomy; May 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/newsminute-may-16-2017-soumya-chatterjee-wannacry-atms-not-to-shut-down-clarifies-rbi">WannaCry: ATMs not to shut down, clarifies RBI, but how safe are our machines?</a> (Soumya Chatterjee; May 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/axios-may-16-2017-google-and-facebook-artificial-intelligence-group-adds-new-members">Google, Facebook's AI group adds new members</a> (Jens Meyer; Axios; May 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/tech-republic-may-17-2017-22-companies-join-partnership-on-ai">22 companies join Partnership on AI, begin to study AI's impact on work and society</a> (Alison DeNisco; TechRepublic; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ciol-may-17-2017-intel-salesforce-ebay-sony-and-others-join-the-grand-ai-partnership-club">Intel, Salesforce, eBay, Sony and others join the grand AI partnership club</a> (CIOL; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-kiran-parashar-km-and-shruthi-hm-it-companies-in-bengaluru-on-high-alert-over-wannacry-ransomware">IT companies in Bengaluru on high alert over WannaCry ransomware</a> (Kiran Parashar K M & Shruthi H M; New Indian Express; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/sd-times-may-17-partnership-on-ai-adds-new-organizations-to-its-network">Partnership on AI adds new organizations to its network</a> (Madison Moore; Software Development Times; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/silicon-monica-tilves-may-17-2017-intel-ebay-sap-salesforce-sony-collaboration-aritificial-intelligence">Intel, eBay, SAP, Salesforce y Sony colaborarán en inteligencia artificial</a> (Monica Tilves; Silicon; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/telecom-paper-may-17-2017-22-nieuwe-leden-voor-partnership-on-ai">22 nieuwe leden voor Partnership on AI </a>(Telecom Paper; May 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-times-of-india-mahendra-singh-may-18-2017-provide-hacker-details-outfit-that-claimed-data-leak-told">Provide hacker details, outfit that claimed data leak told</a> (Mahendra Singh; The Times of India; May 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/economic-times-may-18-2017-mahendra-singh-uidai-asks-centre-for-internet-and-society-to-provide-hacker-details">UIDAI asks Centre for Internet & Society to provide hacker details</a> (Mahendra Singh; Economic Times; May 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-alnoor-peermohamed-may-19-2017-hack-exposes-zomatos-weak-protection-of-customer-data-say-cyber-experts">Hack exposes Zomato's weak protection of customer data, say Cyber experts</a> (Alnoor Peermohamed; Business Standard; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/bloomber-quint-may-19-2017-aayush-ailawadi-whats-hard-to-digest-about-the-zomato-hacking">What’s Hard To Digest About The Zomato Hacking</a> (Aayush Ailawadi; Bloomberg Quint; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/financial-express-may-19-2017-pti-uidai-puts-posers-to-cis-over-aadhaar-data-leak-claim">UIDAI puts posers to CIS over Aadhaar data leak claim</a> (Press Trust of India and Financial Express; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindustan-times-samarth-bansal-faking-it-on-whatsapp-how-india-s-favourite-messaging-app-turned-into-a-rumour-mill">Faking it on WhatsApp: How India's favourite messaging app is turning into a rumour mill</a> (Samarth Bansal; Hindustan Times; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-wire-may-19-2017-ajoy-ashirwad-mahaprahasta-debate-over-aadhaar-turns-nasty-as-critics-accuse-supporters-of-online-trolling">Debate over #Aadhaar Turns Nasty as Critics Accuse Supporters of Online Trolling</a> (Ajoy Ashirwad Mahaprahasta; The Wire; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-times-of-india-may-19-2017-kim-arora-and-digbijay-mishra-hacker-steals-17-million-zomato-users-data-briefly-puts-it-on-dark-web">Hacker steals 17 million Zomato users’ data, briefly puts it on dark web</a> (Kim Arora and Digbijay Mishra with inputs from Ranjani Ayyar; The Times of India; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/medianama-nikhil-pahwa-may-19-2017-uidai-cis-india-aadhaar">UIDAI goes after org that disclosed government departments were releasing Aadhaar data</a> (Nikhil Pahwa; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hoyen-tv-may-20-2017-cirilo-laguardia-developer-releases-wanna-cry-key-recovery-tool-for-windows-xp">Developer releases WannaCry key-recovery tool for Windows XP</a> (Cirilo Laguardia; Hoyen TV; May 20, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/scroll-may-20-2017-anumeha-yadav-will-aadhaar-leaks-be-used-as-an-excuse-to-shut-out-scrutiny-of-welfare-schemes">Will Aadhaar leaks be used as an excuse to shut out scrutiny of welfare schemes?</a> (Anumeha Yadav; Scroll.in; May 20, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/journaldu-maghreb-may-20-2017-microsoft-says-wannacry-ransomware-must-be-a-wake-up-call">Microsoft says WannaCry ransomware must be a wake-up call for governments</a> (Journaldu Maghreb; May 20, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/world-news-journal-juana-mckenzie-may-20-2017-noida-cyber-cell-gives-tips-on-preventing-wannacry-attack">Noida cyber cell gives tips on preventing WannaCry attack</a> (Juana McKenzie; World News Journal; May 20, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/villages-suntimes-may-21-2017-ellis-neal-chinese-state-media-says-us-should-take-some-blame-for-cyber-attack">Chinese state media says U.S. should take some blame for cyber attack</a> (Ellis Neal; Villages Suntimes; May 21, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-sanjay-kumar-singh-may-23-2017-zomato-hack-you-need-to-enhance-online-security-with-a-password-manager">Zomato hack: You need to enhance online security with a password manager</a> (Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; May 23, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/inc42-may-23-2017-shweta-modgil-sharad-sharma-aplogises-for-trolling-aadhaar-critics">Sharad Sharma Apologises for Trolling Aadhaar Critics; Unmasking Ispirit's Controversial Trolling Program</a> (Shweta Modgil; Inc 42; May 23, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-times-of-india-may-24-2017-shalina-pillai-anand-j-ispirts-sharad-sharma-sorry-i-trolled-aadhaar-critics">iSpirt's Sharad Sharma: Sorry, I trolled Aadhaar critics</a> (Shalina Pillai and Anand J; The Times of India; May 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/catch-news-may-25-2017-sharad-sharma-apos-case-shows-how-rampant-troll-culture-has-become-under-modi">Sharad Sharma's case shows how rampant troll culture has become under Modi</a> (Catch News; May 25, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-indiasaga-may-25-2017-aadhaar-card-one-identity-multiple-disorders">Aadhaar Card: One Identity, Multiple Disorders</a> (Gaurav Raj; India Saga; May 25, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/dna-may-28-2017-heena-khandelwal-tweets-from-the-afterlife">Tweets from the afterlife</a> (Heena Khandelwal; DNA; May 28, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/economic-times-may-29-2017-bharat-joshi-bbmp-faces-ire-for-publishing-pourakarmikas-aadhaar-details-on-website">BBMP faces ire for publishing pourakarmikas' Aadhaar details on website</a> (Bharat Joshi; Economic Times; May 29, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>CIS members wrote the following articles</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-quint-amber-sinha-and-aradhya-sethia-may-1-2017-aadhaar-case-beyond-privacy-an-issue-of-bodily-integrity">Aadhaar Case: Beyond Privacy, An Issue of Bodily Integrity</a> (Amber Sinha and Aradhya Sethia; Quint; May 1, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-may-14-2017-digital-native-free-speech-you-must-be-joking">Digital native: Free speech? You must be joking!</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; May 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-may-28-2017-digital-native-look-before-you-digitally-leap">Digital native: Look before you (digitally) leap</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; May 28, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-policy-on-it-accessibility-for-people-with-disabilities">Comments on the draft Policy on IT Accessibility for People with Disabilities</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; May 19, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Copyright</p>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-a-summary-report">34th SCCR: A Summary Report</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-cis-statement-on-the-proposal-for-analysis-of-copyright-related-to-the-digital-environment">34th SCCR: CIS Statement on the Proposal for Analysis of Copyright Related to the Digital Environment</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-cis-statement-on-the-discussion-on-limitations-and-exceptions-for-libraries-and-archives">34th SCCR: CIS Statement on the Discussion on Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-observer-statements-on-proposal-for-analysis-of-copyright-related-to-the-digital-environment">34th SCCR: Observer Statements on Proposal for Analysis of Copyright related to the Digital Environment</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 30, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-observer-statements-on-limitations-and-exceptions-for-educational-and-research-institutions-and-persons-with-other-disabilities">34th SCCR: Observer Statements on Limitations and Exceptions for Educational and Research Institutions</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 30, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/34th-sccr-observer-statements-on-limitations-and-exceptions-for-libraries-and-archives">34th SCCR: Observer Statements on Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives</a> (Anubha Sinha; May 30, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/fixing-copyright-for-education-sccr34-side-event">Fixing Copyright for Education</a> (SCCR34 Side Event) (Hosted by Communia, EIFL, Creative Commons, and PIJIP; May 5, 2017). Anubha Sinha was a speaker. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wiki-loves-mayabazaar">Wiki Loves Mayabazaar</a> (Pavan Santhosh; May 1, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/marathi-wikipedia-symposium-at-gokhale-institute-of-politics-economics">Marathi Wikipedia Symposium at Gokhale Institute Of Politics & Economics</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; May 1, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/digitisation-wikimedia-commons-and-wikisource-orientation-workshop-at-vigyan-ashram-pabal-pune-district">Digitisation, Wikimedia Commons and Wikisource Orientation Workshop at Vigyan Ashram, Pabal, Pune District</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; May 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/thematic-edit-a-thon-at-j-p-naik-centre-for-education-development-pune">Thematic Edit-a-thon at J.P.Naik Centre for Education & Development, Pune</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; May 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/train-the-trainer-2017">Train The Trainer 2017</a> (Manasa Rao; May 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/continuing-community-engagement-communities-of-interest-and-quarrying">Continuing community engagement: Communities of interest and Quarrying</a> (Manasa Rao; May 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/preliminary-research-result-on-wikipedia-gender-gap-in-india">Preliminary research result on Wikipedia gender gap in India</a> (Ting-Yi Chang; May 22, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/mediawiki-training-2017">MediaWiki Training 2017</a> (Tito Dutta and Ananth Subray; May 23, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/mini-ttt-and-mwt-held-in-kolkata">Mini TTT and MWT held in Kolkata</a> (Tito Dutta; May 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><i>Note: The workshops for the above blog posts were held earlier but the reports were published during the month of May</i>.</p>
<p>►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/survey-of-india-open-series-maps-fails-to-implement-public-sharing-of-govt-data">SoI’s Open Series Maps Fails to Implement Public Sharing of Govt Data</a> (Geospatial World; May 4, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay was interviewed.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
</ul>
<b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Freedom of Speech and Expression</p>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-from-the-centre-for-internet-and-society-on-renewal-of-net-registry-agreement">Comments from the Centre for Internet and Society on Renewal of .NET Registry Agreement</a> (Vidushi Marda with inputs from Pranesh Prakash and Sunil Abraham; May 31, 2017). </li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/communication-design-and-visualising-information">Communication Design and Visualising Information</a> (CIS, Bengaluru; May 5, 2017). Saumyaa conducted a session on the broad principles of communication design and visualising information. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/world-press-freedom-day-2017">World Press Freedom Day 2017</a> (UNESCO and the Digital Empowerment Foundation; New Delhi; May 3, 2017). Udbhav Tiwari participated in the event.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/consilience-2017-a-conference-on-artificial-intelligence-law">Consilience 2017 - A Conference on Artificial Intelligence & Law</a> (Organized by National Law School of India University; May 20, 2017). Vidushi Marda was a panelist.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p>►Privacy</p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/comments-on-the-statistical-disclosure-control-report">Comments on the Statistical Disclosure Control Report</a> (Srinivs Kodali and Amber Sinha; May 2, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/information-security-practices-of-aadhaar-or-lack-thereof-a-documentation-of-public-availability-of-aadhaar-numbers-with-sensitive-personal-financial-information-1">(Updated) Information Security Practices of Aadhaar (or lack thereof): A documentation of public availability of Aadhaar Numbers with sensitive personal financial information</a> (Amber Sinha and Srinivas Kodali; May 1, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Events Organized</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/firstfridayatcis-amutha-arunachalam-stand-shielded-of-digital-rights-may-05">Stand Shielded of Digital Rights</a> (CIS; New Delhi; May 5, 2017). Amutha Arunachalam gave a talk.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/meeting-on-proactive-disclosure-and-personal-data-delhi-may-13">Meeting on Proactive Disclosure and Personal Data</a> (CIS; New Delhi; May 13, 2017).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Events</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/4th-national-standards-conclave-evolving-a-comprehensive-national-strategy-for-standards-sectoral-and-regional-inclusiveness">4th National Standards Conclave Evolving a Comprehensive National Strategy for Standards Sectoral and Regional Inclusiveness</a> (Organized by Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry; May 1 - 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/stockholm-internet-forum-2017">Stockholm Internet Forum 2017</a> (Organized by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; Stockholm; May 15 to 18, 2017). Elonnai Hickok was a panelist in the session, "Private sector and civil society collaboration to advance freedom online".</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/open-house-on-information-breaches">Open house on information breaches</a> (Organized by Has Geek; Bengaluru; May 26, 2017). Udbhav Tiwari was a speaker.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/t20-germany-and-beyond-digital-economy">T20 Germany and Beyond: Digital Economy</a> (Organized by GIZ and EPF; May 29 - 30, 2017). Elonnai Hickok participated in a round-table discussion.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">-----------------------------------</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /> -----------------------------------<b><b> </b><br /> </b>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p><b>Newspaper Column</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-may-3-2017-shyam-ponappa-policies-to-sustain-indias-market">Policies to Sustain India's Market</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; May 3, 2017 and Organizing India Blogspot; May 4, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/tech-anthropology-today-collaborate-rather-than-fetishize-from-afar">Tech Anthropology Today: Collaborate, Rather than Fetishize from Afar</a> (Geert Lovink and Ramesh Srinivasan; nettime.org; May 16, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/consultative-meeting-for-a-digital-archive-lab">Consultative Meeting for a Digital Archive Lab</a> (Organized by Ambedkar University, New Delhi; May 20, 2017). P.P. Sneha participated in the meeting.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b></div>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/may-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/may-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-06-17T02:46:03ZPageApril 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/april-2017-newsletter
<b>Welcome to the CIS newsletter for April 2017. </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In a <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/information-security-practices-of-aadhaar-or-lack-thereof-a-documentation-of-public-availability-of-aadhaar-numbers-with-sensitive-personal-financial-information-1">report on the information security practices of Aadhaar</a>, Amber Sinha and Srinivas Kodali documented numerous instances of publicly available Aadhaar numbers along with other personally identifiable information of individuals on government websites. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS along with like minded organizations <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/mobile-accessibility-practices">made a submission to the Government of India</a> to frame a feasible accessibility guidelines for mobile apps since there is no single standard in existence at the moment.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">A <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/sambad-100-women-edit-a-thon">two-day 100 Women Edit-a-thon</a> was held in March 2017 by CIS-A2K team along with Odisha's biggest newspaper Sambad. The event was inspired by BBC’s 100 Women series and edit-a-thons with the same name in December 2016. More than 20 female journalists participated and registered as new Odia Wikipedians.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">On March 31, 2017, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training released a Circular framing rules under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (“RTI Rules”). The Ministry invited comments on on the RTI Rules. <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog-old/comments-on-the-right-to-information-rules-2017">CIS submitted its comments</a>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an article originally published in <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-hindu-businessline-march-31-2017-sunil-abraham-its-the-technology-stupid">Hindu Businessline</a> on March 31, Sunil Abraham lists out 11 reasons why Aadhaar is not just non-smart but also insecure.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Shuttleworth Foundation has announced <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/shuttleworth-foundation-april-19-2017-sunil-abraham-honorary-steward-september-2017">Sunil Abraham as Honorary Steward</a> for its September 2017 fellowship round. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS worked on a three part case study. The first case study on digital protection of traditional knowledge was published by GIS Watch in December 2016. The other two case studies along with the synthesis overview <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/apc-april-23-2017-sunil-abraham-and-vidushi-marda-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india">has also been published</a>. </li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/times-of-india-april-4-2017-ngos-individuals-urge-state-cms-to-curb-internet-shutdown">NGOs, individuals urge state CMs to curb Internet shutdown</a> (The Times of India; April 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/buzzfeednews-pranav-dixit-april-4-2017-indias-national-id-program-may-be-turning-the-country-into-a-surveillance-state">India’s National ID Program May Be Turning The Country Into A Surveillance State</a> (Pranav Dixit; BuzzFeed News; April 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/india-today-neha-vashishth-april-6-2017-privacy-what-bengaluru-police-leaks-phone-numbers-on-twitter">Privacy, what? Bengaluru police leaks 46,000 phone numbers on Twitter</a> (Neha Vashishth; India Today; April 6, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-times-of-india-april-6-2017-umesh-yadav-bengaluru-cops-twitter-handle-in-ethical-storm">Bengaluru cops' twitter handle in ethical storm</a> (Umesh Yadav; The Times of India; April 6, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-april-12-2017-komal-gupta-opposition-questions-govt-move-to-make-aadhaar-must">Opposition questions govt move to make Aadhaar must</a> (Komal Gupta; Livemint; April 12, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/livemint-april-21-2017-komal-gupta-apurva-vishwanath-suranjana-roy-aadhaar-a-widening-net">Aadhaar: A widening net</a> (Komal Gupta, Apurva Vishwanath and Suranjana Roy; Livemint; April 21, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/ians-april-24-2017-chemistry-research-in-india-still-not-in-big-league">Chemistry research in India 'still not in big league'</a> (IANS and India Online News Portal; April 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-world-regina-mihindukulasuriya-april-26-2017-stop-the-haphazard-internet-shutdown-says-mp-jay-panda">Stop the Haphazard Internet Shutdown Says MP Jay Panda</a> (Regina Mihindukulasuriya; Businessworld; April 26, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/national-herald-sebastian-pt-april-26-2017-now-aadhaar-details-displayed-in-mizoram-too">Now, Aadhaar details displayed in Mizoram too</a> (Sebastian P.T.; National Herald; April 26, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/the-news-minute-priyanka-thirumurthy-april-26-2017-after-spb-ilaiyaraaja-sony-music-and-sun-network-lock-horns-over-copyrights">After SPB-Ilaiyaraaja, Sony Music and Sun Network lock horns over copyrights</a> (Priyanka Thirumurthy; Newsminute; April 26, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/inforisk-today-april-26-2017-suparna-goswami-varun-haran-analysis-data-protection-in-india-getting-it-right">Analysis: Data Protection in India - Getting It Right</a> (Suparna Goswami and Varun Haran; Info Risk Today; April 26, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-telegraph-april-27-2017-india-bans-social-media-in-kashmir-for-one-month">India bans social media in Kashmir for one month</a> (Telegraph; April 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/indian-express-april-28-2017-shruti-dhapola-j-k-social-media-ban">J&K social media ban: Use of 132-year-old Act can’t stand judicial scrutiny, say experts</a> (Shruti Dhapola; Indian Express; April 28, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b><br />CIS members wrote the following articles:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindu-op-ed-sunil-abraham-march-31-2017-how-aadhaar-compromises-privacy-and-how-to-fix-it">How Aadhaar compromises privacy? And how to fix it?</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu; April 1, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-april-2-2017-digital-native-you-can-check-out-you-can-never-leave">Digital native: You can check out, you can never leave</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; April 2, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindustan-times-pranesh-prakash-april-3-2017-aadhaar-marks-a-fundamental-shift-in-citizen-state-relations">Aadhaar marks a fundamental shift in citizen-state relations: From ‘We the People’ to ‘We the Government’</a> (Pranesh Prakash; Hindustan Times; April 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-hindu-businessline-march-31-2017-sunil-abraham-its-the-technology-stupid">It’s the technology, stupid</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu Businessline; April 7, 2017). </li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/asian-age-amber-sinha-april-10-2017-privacy-in-the-age-of-big-data">Privacy in the Age of Big Data</a> (Amber Sinha; Asian Age; April 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-april-17-2017-digital-native-are-you-still-having-fun">Digital native: Are You Still Having Fun?</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; April 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-april-30-2017-digital-native-snap-out-of-outrage-mode">Digital native: Snap out of outrage mode</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; April 30, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/mobile-accessibility-practices">Mobile Accessibility Practices</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; April 12, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/events/global-accessibility-awareness-day-2017">Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2017</a> (Organized by Prakat Solutions, Mithra Jyothi and CIS; Bengaluru; May 18, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>----------------------------------- </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p>►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Note: All the following events were held earlier but the reports were published in the month of April:</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/womens-day-edit-a-thon-in-pune">Women's Day Edit-a-thon at Jeewan Jyoti Women's Empowerment Centre, Pune</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 10, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-at-savitribai-phule-mahila-ekatma-samaj-mandal-aurangabad">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at Savitribai Phule Mahila Ekatma Samaj Mandal, Aurangabad</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 13, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/google-translated-telugu-articles-prioritisation-exercise-january-iteration">Google-translated Telugu articles prioritisation exercise: January iteration</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/telugu-wikipedia-stall-at-vijayawada-book-festival">Telugu Wikipedia stall at Vijayawada Book Festival</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/womens-day-edit-a-thon-at-jnana-prabodhini">Women's Day Edit-a-thon at Jnana Prabodhini</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/bargarh-manuscript-digitisation-project">Bargarh Manuscript Digitisation Project</a> (Sailesh Patnaik; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/imperial-college-orientation-program-bargarh">Imperial College Orientation Program, Bargarh</a> (Sailesh Patnaik; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/orientation-training-session-for-environmental-activists-in-satara-on-13th-february-2017">Orientation & Training session for Environmental Activists in Satara</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-at-rajarshi-chhatrapati-shahu-college-kolhapur">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu College, Kolhapur</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-at-shivaji-university-kolhapur">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at Shivaji University, Kolhapur</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-at-sangli-maharashtra">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at Sangli, Maharashtra</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/orientation-training-session-of-jalbiradari-activists">Orientation & Training session of Jalbiradari Activists</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/free-license-wings-to-your-books-in-guntur">"Free-license Wings To Your Books" in Guntur</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/free-license-wings-to-your-books-in-vijayawada">"Free-license Wings To Your Books" in Vijayawada</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/adikavi-nannaya-university-telugu-wikipedia-workshop-1">Adikavi Nannaya University Telugu Wikipedia Workshop</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/odia-wikipedia-workshop-in-iimc-dhenkanal">Odia Wikipedia Workshop in IIMC, Dhenkanal</a> (Sailesh Patnaik; April 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/sambad-100-women-edit-a-thon">Sambad 100 Women Edit-a-thon</a> (Ting Yi Chang and Sailesh Patnaik; April 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/google-translated-telugu-articles-prioritisation-exercise-february-iteration">Google-translated Telugu articles prioritisation exercise: February iteration</a> (Pavan Santhosh; April 18, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Copyright and Patent</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/national-conference-on-intellectual-property-rights-and-public-interest">National Conference on Intellectual Property Rights and Public Interest</a> (Organized by Indian Law Institute; New Delhi; April 7 - 8, 2017). Maggie Huang took part in the event.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><br />►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Publication<br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/apc-april-23-2017-sunil-abraham-and-vidushi-marda-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india">Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in India: Opportunities for Advocacy in Intellectual Property</a> (Sunil Abraham and Vidushi Marda; GIS Watch and Association for Progressive Communications; April 23, 2017). Total 4 reports: <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/files/economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india">Synthesis Overview</a>, <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/files/economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india-opportunities-for-advocacy-in-intellectual-property-rights-access-to-mobile-technology">Access to Mobile Technology</a>, <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/files/economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india-opportunities-for-advocacy-in-intellectual-property-rights-the-traditional-knowledge-digital-library">Traditional Knowledge Digital Library</a>, and <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/files/economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-india-foss/">FOSS and Open Standards</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/blog-old/comments-on-the-right-to-information-rules-2017">Comments on the Right to Information Rules, 2017</a> (Amber Sinha; April 27, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Event Organized <br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/events/nasa-space-apps-challenge-2017">NASA Space Apps Challenge 2017</a> (CIS, Bengaluru, April 22, 2017).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b><br /></b></div>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/analysis-of-key-provisions-of-aadhaar-act-regulations">Analysis of Key Provisions of the Aadhaar Act Regulations</a> (Amber Sinha; April 3, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/right-to-be-forgotten-a-tale-of-two-judgments">Right to be Forgotten: A Tale of Two Judgements</a> (Amber Sinha; April 7, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
►Free Speech and Expression</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/yameen-rasheed-human-rights-maldives">Killing of Yameen Rasheed Reveals Worsening Human Rights Situation in the Maldives</a> (Pranesh Prakash; April 25, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/internet-shutdowns-in-2016">Internet Shutdowns in 2016</a> (Japreet Grewal; April 27, 2016).<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p>►Miscellaneous</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/regulating-bitcoin-in-india">Regulating Bitcoin in India</a> (Vipul Kharbanda; April 20, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/firstfridayatcis-amutha-arunachalam-stand-shielded-of-digital-rights-may-05">Amutha Arunachalam - Stand Shielded of Digital Rights</a> (CIS; New Delhi; May 5, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><br />Participation in Event</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/iso-iec-jtc1-sc-27-meetings">ISO/IEC JTC1/SC 27 Meetings</a> (Organized by Bureau of Indian Standards; University of Waikato and Novotel; New Zealand; April 18 - 25, 2017). Udbhav Tiwari attended the meetings.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Cyber Security</p>
<p><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/firstfridayatcisindia-dr-madan-oberoi-digital-forensics-april-07">Dr. Madan M. Oberoi - Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigations</a> (CIS; New Delhi; April 7, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/brainstorming-session-on-the-global-conference-on-cyberspace-gccs-2017">Brainstorming Session on the Global Conference on Cyberspace</a> (GCCS 2017) (Organized by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology; New Delhi; April 12, 2017). Japreet Grewal attended the session.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/april-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/april-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-05-20T12:59:17ZPagePolicies to Sustain India's Market
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-may-3-2017-shyam-ponappa-policies-to-sustain-indias-market
<b>The question is whether policies can be better framed to harness the market potential. Why is so much investment flowing into India's securities markets?</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The article published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/policies-to-sustain-india-s-market-117050301322_1.html">Business Standard</a> on May 3, 2017 was also mirrored on <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/05/policies-to-sustain-indias-market.html">Organizing India Blogspot</a> on May 4, 2017.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Probably because of (a) India’s market size and (b) growth, despite all its inconsistencies and difficulties. Are higher price-earnings multiples desirable? Yes if they are sustained, because more capital is available for equivalent productivity; otherwise, no. The question is whether policies can be better framed to harness the market potential.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>India’s large market with its headroom for prosperity seems propelled partly by its own momentum, and its stocks partly by liquidity. The net investment in mutual funds in 2016-17 of Rs 3.43 lakh crore was reportedly double the previous year, the highest in the last decade. Domestic investment in pure equity funds in the last two years exceeded foreign portfolio investment (FPI), because of lower FPI and higher domestic investment. Retail investors grew in the last three years from 28.6 million to 39.3 million. Other positive factors were a government with a strong mandate and falling oil prices. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Now, reasonable earnings from some large companies and rising global markets augur well, although earnings must improve broadly and a number of caveats remain. These relate to non-performing assets/loans (NPAs/NPLs), structural problems in sectors such as iron and steel, construction, power, telecom, transport, agriculture, continuing deficiencies in infrastructure and institutions, and in productivity. There are social pressures from divisive electioneering, a disturbing rise of exclusionary tendencies echoed globally, and government overreach. There are also self-induced crises because of inappropriate policies, as in telecom, unviable situations created by populism, or by judicial orders, as seen in telecom, coal and power. There could also be failure to improve productivity (by a third to 9 per cent, as during the growth years), or adverse external developments. <br /><br />The room for improvement is epitomised by low per capita productivity. According to Bloomberg, the International Labour Organization’s output per worker for India in 2017 is 20 times lower than for Germany. Yet, expectations run high for India in reports from sources such as Euromonitor, the International Monetary Fund, London’s Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR), and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Euromonitor predicts India’s consumer market will be the third largest by 2030, ahead of Japan and Germany. Growth will be for products such as smartphones, automobiles, and durables such as TV sets, refrigerators and air conditioners. For instance, India is the third largest market for smartphones after China and the US. In automobiles, India is the fifth largest market with over 3.3 million cars sold in 2016 and continues to attract global manufacturers. <br /><br />However, Euromonitor cautions against rising inequality with the Gini index rising from 39.9 per cent in 2011 to 41.6 per cent in 2016 and estimated at 43.4 per cent by 2030. The CEBR estimates that by 2028, India’s gross domestic product will be the third largest after China and the US. PwC forecasts that in 2050, India will be the second largest economy (in purchasing power parity) after China, the US being third and Indonesia fourth, with a caveat: “Emerging economies need to enhance their institutions and their infrastructure significantly if they are to realise their long-term growth potential.”<br /><br />Can our policies better contribute to realising this market potential? Consider the options. One approach is open exploitation, unmindful of whether the ownership and distribution of profits is domestic or foreign. Prices are determined solely by supply and demand, without government regulation or any other authority. Another extreme is that the government decides everything, which has been seen to fail. A third option is a mix, with open-market principles in areas that can sustain them, such as in consumer goods, tempered with appropriate regulation, e.g., against harmful substances. Ideally, policies should be for the long-term common good with sustainable levels of equitable access. Regulation is essential where network economics apply with few players, as in electricity and communications. Our mix is not ideal because realpolitik and populism overwhelm the need for deep understanding followed by the objective and convergent deliberation needed to frame beneficial policies (through sound institutions, also lacking).<br /><br />Our policies are often indifferent to where ownership lies, and sometimes, this is a problem. For example, heavy industries or electronics majors abroad often have government backing. Indian enterprises start with a disadvantage, because of restricted access to capital, and at higher cost. Another aspect is when the ownership of major local corporates with privileged access to markets changes to being majority foreign-owned, because the profits are sent abroad. Yet another is that we do not have ecosystems for manufacturing start-ups through commercialisation and scaling up, in terms of financing, production and procurement. Attention seems confined to early-stage start-ups or to small-and-medium enterprises, with no ecosystem to see them through to establishing scale, comparable, for instance, to the building up of Huawei through consistent procurement.<br /><br />Our greatest deficiency, however, remains lack of good infrastructure. Correcting this requires a long view, capital, slow payback and long lead times for results, usually beyond election cycles. Easily sidelined for populist measures for immediate gains, this area needs concerted, bipartisan, societal convergence. A case in point is telecom and broadband, where spectrum auctions loom again, even as operators struggle with low revenues and high debt from previous auctions. Another is the recent Supreme Court ruling against compensatory tariffs for two ultra-mega power projects at Mundra, of 4,000 Megawatt (Mw) (Tata) and 4,620 Mw (Adani), based on whether a “change in law” applies only to Indian laws. If the tariffs were upheld, five buyer states would get a lower than average price paid, substantially below the current market price. If these projects become unviable, they will add to the deadweight of NPAs. The banks they owe will also suffer, and there will be the opportunity cost of benefits foregone from the lower-priced electricity.<br /><br />There may be a case for prioritising infrastructure, beginning with defining our objectives and then framing policies to achieve them. For power projects, it’s reasonably priced electricity; for telecom, it’s reasonably priced services. Until these are made possible through appropriate policies, there’s little likelihood of realising our full potential. <br /></span></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-may-3-2017-shyam-ponappa-policies-to-sustain-indias-market'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-may-3-2017-shyam-ponappa-policies-to-sustain-indias-market</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaTelecom2017-05-20T03:06:30ZBlog Entry22 nieuwe leden voor Partnership on AI
https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/telecom-paper-may-17-2017-22-nieuwe-leden-voor-partnership-on-ai
<b>Partnership on AI, een non-profit organisatie ter bevordering van het algemeen begrip van kunstmatige intelligentie en de ontwikkeling van best practices, heeft 22 nieuwe leden aangekondigd.</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The news was <a class="external-link" href="https://www.telecompaper.com/nieuws/22-nieuwe-leden-voor-partnership-on-ai--1196287">published by Telecom Paper</a> on May 17, 2017.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Tot de nieuwe leden behoren eBay, Intel, McKinsey & Company, Salesforce, SAP, Sony, Zalando, Cogitai, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, AI Forum of New Zealand, Center for Democracy & Technology, Centre for Internet and Society – India, Data & Society Research Institute, Digital Asia Hub, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Future of Humanity Institute, Future of Privacy Forum, Human Rights Watch, Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, UNICEF, Upturn, en de XPRIZE Foundation. Partnership on AI werd vorig jaar september opgericht. Tot de oprichters behoren onder meer Amazon, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, Google DeepMind en Apple.</p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/telecom-paper-may-17-2017-22-nieuwe-leden-voor-partnership-on-ai'>https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/telecom-paper-may-17-2017-22-nieuwe-leden-voor-partnership-on-ai</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaTelecomInternet Governance2017-05-19T06:54:20ZNews ItemMarch 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter
<b>Welcome to March 2017 newsletter of the Centre for Internet & Society (CIS).</b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-rules">submitted comments on the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules</a> for the consideration of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Anubha Sinha in a blog post has <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/intellectual-property-rights-and-mobile-apps">identified the various kinds of IP in an app</a> and explained the protections available under Indian IPR law. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS-A2K is <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikisource-internship-project-at-new-law-college-pune">conducting a Wiki internship project</a> for students of New Law College, Pune under the guidance of Prof.Dr.Mukund Sarda, Dean and Principal of New Law College. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">In an <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindu-op-ed-sunil-abraham-march-31-2017-how-aadhaar-compromises-privacy-and-how-to-fix-it">Op-ed published in the Hindu</a>, Sunil Abraham has stated that though biometrics may be appropriate for targeted surveillance by the state, it is wholly inappropriate for everyday transactions between state and law abiding citizens.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS has <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/benefits-harms-rights-and-regulation-survey-of-literature-on-big-data">published a survey</a> that 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.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS submitted comments on the Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017. The <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-information-technology-security-of-prepaid-payment-instruments-rules-2017">comments were in response to the Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules 2017</a>. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a consultation paper which called for developing a framework for security of digital wallets operating in the country. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Ritam Sengupta, Dr. Richard Heeks, Sumandro Chattapadhyay, and Dr. Christopher Foster <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/exploring-big-data-for-development-an-electricity-sector-case-study-from-india">have co-authored a paper</a> that presents exploratory research into “data-intensive development” that seeks to inductively identify issues and conceptual frameworks of relevance to big data in developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/richa-mishra-hindu-businessline-march-13-2017-the-12-digit-conundrum">The 12-digit conundrum</a> (Richa Mishra; Hindu Businessline; March 13, 2017)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-statesman-smriti-sharma-vasudeva-march-14-2017-evms-how-transparent-is-the-indian-election-process">EVMs: How transparent is the Indian election process?</a> (Smriti Sharma Vasudeva; The Statesman; March 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/first-post-march-16-nimish-sawant-nasscom-chief-saying-full-data-protection-isnt-possible-should-wake-us-from-our-digital-slumber">Nasscom chief saying full data protection isn’t possible should wake us from our digital slumber</a> (First Post; March 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/one-world-indentity-kaelyn-lowmaster-march-17-2017-privacy-concerns-multiply-for-aadhaar-indias-national-biometric-identity-registry">Privacy concerns multiply for Aadhaar, India’s national biometric identity registry</a> (One World Identity; March 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-guardian-march-21-2017-no-id-no-benefits">No ID, no benefits: thousands could lose lifeline under India’s biometric scheme</a> (Guardian; March 21, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/huffington-post-rimin-dutt-ivan-mehta-march-24-2017-why-we-should-all-worry-about-the-mandatory-imposition-of-aadhaar">Why We Should All Worry About The Mandatory Imposition Of Aadhaar</a> (Rimin Dutt and Ivan Mehta; Huffington Post; March 24, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/financial-times-march-27-2017-amy-kazmin-indias-biometric-id-scans-make-sci-fi-a-reality">India’s biometric ID scans make sci-fi a reality</a> (Amy Kazmin; Financial Times; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ndtv-march-27-2017-discussion-on-aadhaar">क्या आधार पर जल्दबाज़ी में है सरकार?</a> (NDTV; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-march-27-2017-priya-nair-and-sanjay-kumar-singh-get-an-aadhaar-card-if-you-dont-have-one">Get an Aadhaar card if you don't have one</a> (Priya Nair and Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; March 27, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindu-businessline-shriya-mohan-the-aadhaar-of-all-things">The Aadhaar of all things</a> (Shriya Mohan; Hindu Businessline; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b><br />CIS members wrote the following articles</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-march-19-2017-digital-native-lie-me-a-river">Digital native: Lie Me a River</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; March 19, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-hindu-businessline-march-31-2017-sunil-abraham-its-the-technology-stupid">It’s the technology, stupid</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu Businessline; March 31, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/hindu-op-ed-sunil-abraham-march-31-2017-how-aadhaar-compromises-privacy-and-how-to-fix-it">How Aadhaar compromises privacy? And how to fix it?</a> (Sunil Abraham; Hindu; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Submission</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/comments-on-the-draft-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-rules">Comments on the draft Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; March 29, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>----------------------------------- </b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Pervasive Technologies</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/intellectual-property-rights-and-mobile-apps">Intellectual Property Rights and Mobile Apps</a> (Anubha Sinha; March 6, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-bhasha-gaurav-din-celebrations-in-maharashtra">"Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din" celebrations in Maharashtra</a> (Manasa Rao; March 7, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/women2019s-history-month-sambad-collaborates-with-odia-wikipedia-for-a-two-day-edit-a-thon">Women’s History Month: Sambad collaborates with Odia Wikipedia for a Two Day Edit-a-thon</a> (Sailesh Patnaik; March 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikisource-internship-project-at-new-law-college-pune">Wikisource:Internship Project at New Law College, Pune</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; March 28, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Events Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/womens-day-edit-a-thon-in-pune">Women's Day Edit-a-thon</a> (Co-organized by Sterlite Tech Foundation, Jnana Prabhodhini, and CIS-A2K; Pune; March 10, 2017). Subodh Kulkarni was one of the trainers.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-on-environment-management">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on Environment Management</a> (Organized by CSIBER College and CIS-A2K; Kolhapur; March 30, 2017). Subodh Kulkarni was a trainer.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><br />►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/national-consultation-on-oer-for-higher-education">National Consultation on OER for Higher Education</a> (Organized by Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia; New Delhi; March 3, 2017). Anubha Sinha attended the event.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/idrc-open-development-book-authors-workshop">Open Development Book - Authors' Workshop</a> (Organized by International Development Research Centre and Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching; University of Cape Town, South Africa; March 11 - 12, 2017). The workshop gathered the contributers to an upcoming book by IDRC on open development. Elonnai Hickok, Gus Hosein from Privacy International and Sumandro Chattapadhyay are writing a chapter for this book.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/indo-french-perspectives-on-digital-studies">Indo - French Perspectives on Digital Studies</a> (Organized by Digital Studies Group; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; March 15, 2017). Anubha Sinha was a speaker. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-information-technology-security-of-prepaid-payment-instruments-rules-2017">Comments on Information Technology</a> (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017 (Udbhav Tiwari, Pranesh Prakash, Abhay Rana, Amber Sinha and Sunil Abraham; March 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/wiser-lecture-sumandro-chattapadhyay-on-deregulation-by-code">WISER Lecture : Sumandro Chattapadhyay on Deregulation by Code</a> (Organized by the University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg; March 8, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay gave a talk.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/conference-on-safety-against-online-child-sexual-abuse">Conference on Safety Against Online Child Sexual Abuse</a> (Organized by CID, Telangana and the Department for Women Development and Child Welfare, Telangana; March 16 - 17, 2017). Japreet Grewal was a speaker.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/state-of-digital-rights-in-india-delhi-march-24">State of Digital Rights in India</a> (Organized by Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University, Delhi and the Internet Freedom Foundation, in association with Access Now; India International Centre, New Delhi; March 24, 2017). Japreet Grewal and Sumandro Chattapadhyay took part in panel discussions.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/google-hangout-on-technology-and-jobs">Hangout on Technology and Jobs</a> (Organized by Google; March 24, 2017). Vanya Rakesh was a speaker. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/analysis-of-key-provisions-of-aadhaar-act-regulations">Analysis of Key Provisions of the Aadhaar Act Regulations</a> (Amber Sinha and edited by Elonnai Hickok; March 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Cyber Security</p>
<p><b>Upcoming Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/firstfridayatcisindia-dr-madan-oberoi-digital-forensics-april-07">Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigations</a> (CIS; New Delhi; April 7, 2017). IPS officer Dr. Madan M. Oberoi will give a talk. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Big Data</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry<br /></b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/benefits-harms-rights-and-regulation-survey-of-literature-on-big-data">Benefits, Harms, Rights and Regulation: A Survey of Literature on Big Data</a> (Amber Sinha, Vanya Rakesh, Vidushi Marda and Geethanjali Jujjavarapu; edited by Sunil Abraham, Elonnai Hickok and Leilah Elmokadem; March 23, 2017). </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-fintech-disruption-innovation-regulation-and-transformation">The Fintech Disruption - Innovation, Regulation, and Transformation</a> (Organized by Carnegie India; March 28, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay attended the event. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">►Freedom of Expression</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Event Organized</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/essentials-of-building-internet-tools-for-inclusion">Essentials of building internet tools for inclusion </a>(Valencia, Spain; March 6, 2017). A talk jointly proposed by Chinmayi SK and Rohini Lakshané was selected for the Internet Freedom Festival.</li>
</ul>
<b>Participation in Events</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/from-virtual-to-reliable-exploring-freedom-and-facts-in-the-world-of-www-world-wide-web">From Virtual to Reliable: Exploring Freedom and Facts in the World of WWW (World Wide Web)</a> (Organized by Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and Adaan Foundation; March 21, 2017). Saikat Datta and Amber Sinha were panelists.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/internet-freedom-festival-2017">Internet Freedom Festival 2017</a> (Organized by IFF; Valencia, Spain; March 6 - 10, 2017). Vidushi Marda participated in the event. Vidushi also attended these sessions: <a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Data_Protection_law_and_is_different_manifestations">Data Protection Law and its Different Manifestations</a>;<a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/The_identity_we_can%27t_change:_a_new_wave_of_biometric_policies_around_the_world"> Using the Ranking Digital Rights Corporate Accountability Index for Advocacy & Research; The identity we can't change: a new wave of biometric policies around the world</a> and <a class="external-link" href="https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Enabling_free_speech_online_by_legal_defence:_the_need_for_skilled_lawyers_to_secure_the_free_flow_of_information_online">Enabling free speech online by legal defence: the need for skilled lawyers to secure the free flow of information online</a>: Vidushi channeled a discussion about Shreya Singhal v. Union of India as an important case study in understanding how legal defence has been used to secure rights online.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p><b><b>----------------------------------- <br /></b><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> </b>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p><b>Newspaper Column</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-march-1-2017-shyam-ponappa-organisational-hurdles-in-telecom">Organisational Hurdles in Telecom</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; March 1, 2017 and Organizing India Blogspot; March 2, 2017)</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Research Paper</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/exploring-big-data-for-development-an-electricity-sector-case-study-from-india">Exploring Big Data for Development: An Electricity Sector Case Study from India</a> (Ritam Sengupta, Dr. Richard Heeks, Sumandro Chattapadhyay, and Dr. Christopher Foster; Global Development Institute, University of Manchester; March 29, 2017). <br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/evaluating-safety-buttons-on-mobile-devices-preview">Evaluating Safety Buttons on Mobile Devices: Preview</a> (Rohini Lakshané and Chinmayi S.K.; March 27, 2017).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b></div>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
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<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
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<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/march-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-05-20T12:47:11ZPageA Pathfinding Approach for Digital India
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-january-31-2017-and-organizing-india-blogspot-february-1-2017-shyam-ponappa-a-pathfinding-approach-for-digital-india
<b>It's not only the installation of the OFC, but of ensuring quality and reliability.</b>
<p>The article was published in the <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/shyam-ponappa-pathfinding-approach-for-digital-india-117013101475_1.html">Business Standard</a> on January 31, 2017 and reproduced on <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017/02/a-pathfinding-approach-for-digital-india.html">Organizing India Blogspot</a> on February 1, 2017.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Most people believe an optical fibre cable (OFC) connection is necessary for broadband. While largely true, this is often financially viable only in urban agglomerations. What is less known is that trading companies use wireless links between New York and Chicago for high-speed electronic trades.<a href="#fn1" name="fr1">[1] </a>For people outside urban clusters, wireless is a less expensive alternative to fibre. They get only a few megabits per second, but realistically, ubiquitous broadband at 2 Mbps would be great.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Three factors are driving internet access and usage in India. An overriding factor is the growth of wireless devices and traffic as a global phenomenon. Cisco estimated in June 2016 that in 2015, wired access comprised 52 per cent of IP traffic, but would reduce to one-third by 2020, while wireless access would increase to two-thirds. This trend is reinforced by another factor: Innovation that lowers costs and improves performance in mobile wireless <i>(Chart 1)</i>.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><b><span>Chart 1: Mobile Innovation Lowers Costs and Improves Performance</span></b></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><b><span><img height="208" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kklWnr7DWH4/WJIQfL4K8xI/AAAAAAAACrM/FWLSDxCA5aIvrxxlt7AQNRS66ob1WP8HQCLcB/s320/Mobile%2BInnovation%2BLowers%2BCosts%2B%2526%2BImproves%2BPerformance-Brookings.png" width="320" /></span></b></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><i><span><span>Sources: Cisco Visual Networking Index; International Telecommunication Union; IE Market Research; Motorola, Deutsche Bank; Qualcomm<br />Note: Data speed indicated the maximum downlink speed, not average observed speeds. The average observed speeds depend on many factors, including infra, subscriber density and device harware and software</span></span></i></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span>The third factor is the combination of the geographic spread of our population, the concentration of broadband penetration (Chart 2), and the limited coverage of OFC networks. While major cities and their connecting links are covered by OFC, less populated and less commercially attractive areas between them are not. In hilly terrain, there is considerable difficulty in laying OFC, which extends far beyond cost. In urban areas, cost can be a deterrent because we lack reasonable, uniform charges for rights-of-way. Such procedures and practices are difficult to institute and enforce, but are essential for robust, viable OFC networks.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><b><span>Chart 2: Broadband Penetration</span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><b><span><img height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlwUGRQtTAo/WJIMAFROeHI/AAAAAAAACrA/L5okGjdonCcqmKpJEbmX0-wNZG0hg-IYwCLcB/s320/Broadband%2BPenetration-The%2BHindu-2016-08-25.png" width="320" /></span></b></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><span>Source: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/The-India-wide-web/article14588938.ece</span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><span>It's not only the installation of the OFC, but of ensuring quality and reliability. OFC networks in India apparently suffer from 12 to 14 cuts per km per month, whereas the international benchmark is 0.7 cuts per km km per month. Apart from more frequent repairs, the capital expenditure in India is nearly three times as high as in Australia or the US.<a href="#fn2" name="fr2">[2]</a></span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><span>Estimates for installing OFC using standard procedures vary from about Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per km. However, there have been attempts at getting costs down by radical changes in approach. For example, Andhra Pradesh considered an OFC installation of 22,500 km estimated Rs 4,700 crore. By stringing fibre overhead along electric cables, however, the estimate was cut to Rs 333 crore, reducing costs from Rs 21 lakh to under Rs 1.5 lakh per km. It remains to be seen how this network will perform in terms of quality and reliability. Also, wireless technology is needed to extend connectivity from the fibre to villages, and cellular network costs rise with less bandwidth. For instance, one estimate is that excluding spectrum costs, a network using 5 MHz costs nearly 70 percent more than using 20 MHz.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><span>For all these reasons, we need concerted action to redesign our approach to broadband, covering the fundamentals of infrastructure, spectrum and market design. The exponential growth in mobile services has reached a plateau, and is complicated by the taint of the 2G spectrum scams. This has resulted in a mindset combining witch-hunting and paranoia in the press, the public, government departments, and the judiciary. This is not conducive for the coordinated, collective strategy and action that is required to extricate ourselves. Several proven wireless technologies are not permitted in India, although the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended their use. Methods to increase connectivity like those listed below are urgently needed, with requisite environmental safeguards such as the use of renewable energy.</span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span><span><span>60 GHz (V band) wireless gigabit for short-haul; <br /></span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span>70 and 80 GHz (E band) for multi-gigabit backhaul up to 5 km;</span></span></span></li>
<li><span><span><span>TV White Space for the middle mile from the fibre to users in villages up to 8-10 km away in a single hop;</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><span><span>Additional steps, e.g.:</span></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Increasing unlicensed spectrum in the 5.8 GHz band from 50 MHz to 80 MHz to enable 866 Mbps per channel, or more for gigabit capacity;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Enabling secondary sharing of spectrum bands such as TV White Space, which has the possibility of existing Indian IPR establishing domestic manufacturing and dominating this niche;</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">It is evident that despite intense efforts by the people involved, our existing approach is simply not getting us to where we need to be. This has been repeated by government and private sector representatives many times. There’s no substitute for developing a sound approach, collectively and participatively, with professional facilitation, cutting across government, industry (operators and equipment providers), users, and the judiciary, to devise whatever solutions will deliver better results. We have to move away from adversarial deadlock.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>A good way to begin is by accepting facts, and considering the evidence before dismissing points of view. For licensing, we know that government collections from revenue sharing far exceed the auction fees foregone (“<a href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.com/2016/04/breakthroughs-needed-for-digital-india.html" target="_blank">Breakthroughs Needed for Digital India</a>”). We have the experience of building other infrastructure such as roads and airports on revenue-sharing principles. We have to take a similar systematic, phased approach to designing and implementing broadband networks. Policies on infrastructure resource use including spectrum need to be rationalised, and the sector organised through participative path-finding and problem solving. We have to build national champions in manufacturing to keep costs affordable, for instance, using TV White Space. India could set the standard with its IPR and products where OFC is infeasible or unviable for connectivity to villages and rural clusters. Both the administrative and political leadership need to do this, working with all stakeholders, and not treating any of them as adversaries, or cronies.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="float: left; ">
<div style="float: left; "></div>
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<p style="text-align: justify; "><span><b><span> </span></b></span></p>
<hr />
<p>[<a href="#fr1" name="fn1">1</a>]. ‘Information Transmission between Financial Markets in Chicago and New York’, Gregory Laughlin, Anthony Aguirre, and Joseph Grundfest, Cornell University Library, arXiv.org</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">[<a href="#fr2" name="fn2">2</a>]. Conference presentation, Sterlite, <a href="http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Sterlite-Badri.pdf">http://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Sterlite-Badri.pdf</a></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-january-31-2017-and-organizing-india-blogspot-february-1-2017-shyam-ponappa-a-pathfinding-approach-for-digital-india'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-january-31-2017-and-organizing-india-blogspot-february-1-2017-shyam-ponappa-a-pathfinding-approach-for-digital-india</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaTelecomDigital India2017-03-03T16:39:37ZBlog EntryJanuary 2017 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/january-2017-newsletter
<b>Welcome to the January 2017 newsletter of the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p>We are pleased to bring you the Centre for Internet & Society's January newsletter. Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="listing grid" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPD) Act, which was passed in December 2016, seeks to give effect to the rights and obligations enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, which India signed and ratified nearly a decade ago. Nirmita Narasimhan <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/digital-accessibility-in-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016">in a blog entry</a> has summarized the key provisions of the Act relating to digital accessibility.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/super-cassettes-v-myspace">latest judgment</a> in the matter of Super Cassettes v. MySpace is a landmark and progressive ruling, which strengthens the safe harbor immunity enjoyed by Internet intermediaries in India. CIS was one of the intervenors in the case, and has been duly acknowledged in the judgment. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Meena Gayathri <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/meet-telugu-wikipedian-surampudi-meena-gayathri-2013-the-first-south-indian-wikiwoman-completing-100wikidays-challenge">became the first South Indian Wikiwoman to complete 100 Wikidays challenge</a>. The challenge required Wikipedians to create one new article per day for one hundred days in a row. Gayathri's contribution and passion towards Telugu language and culture have transcended into a "knowledge revolution".</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The Committee on Digital Payments constituted by the Ministry of Finance and chaired by Ratan P. Watal, Principal Advisor, NITI Aayog, submitted its report on the "Medium Term Recommendations to Strengthen Digital Payments Ecosystem" on December 09, 2016. The report was made public on December 27, and comments were sought from the general public. CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-the-report-of-the-committee-on-digital-payments-dec-2016">submitted its comments</a>. The comments were authored by Sumandro Chattopadhyay. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">ICANN sought community input on the Proposed ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy on 7 November 2016. In response to this CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-the-proposed-icann-community-anti-harassment-policy">submitted its comments</a>. The comments were authored by Padma Venkataraman, Rohini Lakshané, Sampada Nayak and Vidushi Marda. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">The eleven sessions selected for the Internet Researchers' Conference 2017 (IRC17) to be held at the IIIT Bangalore campus during March 3-5, 2017 has been announced. The <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/irc17-selected-sessions">conference is being organised</a> by the Centre for Information Technology and Public Policy (CITAPP) at IIIT Bangalore and CIS.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>CIS in the news</b></p>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/wall-street-journal-gabriele-parussini-january-13-2017-indias-digital-id-rollout-collides-with-rickety-reality">India’s Digital ID Rollout Collides With Rickety Reality</a> (Gabriele Parussini; Wall Street Journal; January 13, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/washington-post-january-14-2017-rama-lakshmi-millions-of-indians-move-from-cash-to-digital-payments">Millions of Indians move from cash to digital payments. But some ask whether it’s safe</a> (Rama Lakshmi; Washington Post; January 14, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/economic-times-january-14-2017-sunil-abraham-on-aadhaar-misuse-during-demonetisation">Sunil Abraham on Aadhaar's misuse during demonetisation</a> (Economic Times; January 14, 2017)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/economic-times-indulekha-aravind-january-15-2017-the-soon-to-be-launched-aadhaar-pay-will-let-you-make-purchases-using-your-fingerprint">The soon-to-be launched Aadhaar Pay will let you make purchases using your fingerprint</a> (Indulekha Aravind; January 15, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-january-16-2017-sanjay-kumar-singh-lost-your-phone-here-is-how-you-can-make-your-mobile-theft-proof">Lost your phone? Here's how you can make your mobile theft-proof</a> (Sanjay Kumar Singh; Business Standard; January 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/bloomberg-mayank-jain-january-17-2017-dangers-of-aadhaar-based-payments-that-no-one-is-talking-about">The Dangers Of Aadhaar-Based Payments That No One Is Talking About</a> (Mayank Jain; Bloomberg; January 17, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-mj-antony-ayan-pramanik-apurva-venkat-supreme-court-issues-notice-to-whatsapp-centre-on-data-privacy">Supreme Court issues notice to WhatsApp, Centre on data privacy</a> (MJ Antony, Ayan Pramanik and Apurva Venkat; Business Standard; January 17, 2017).</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/ndtv-december-24-2016-demonetisation-cost-versus-benefit">Demonetisation: Cost Vs Benefit</a> (NDTV; December 24, 2016). <i>Sunil Abraham took part in the Big Fight programme aired by NDTV. The video was published on January 17, 2017</i>.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/financial-times-amy-kazmin-january-23-2017-for-indias-complaints-department-visit-facebook-live">For India’s complaints department, visit Facebook Live</a> (Amy Kazmin; Financial Times; January 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
</ul>
<p><b>CIS members wrote the following articles:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-january-4-2017-cashlessness-needs-connectivity">Cashlessness Needs Connectivity</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; January 4, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-january-8-2017-digital-native-the-dream-of-the-cyborg">Digital Native: The Dream of the Cyborg</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; January 8, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-january-16-2017-digital-transitions-in-the-newsroom-how-are-indian-language-papers-adapting-differently">Digital transitions in the newsroom</a>: How are Indian language papers adapting differently? (Zeenab Aneez; London School of Economics and Political Science; January 16, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-nishant-shah-january-22-2017-digital-native-back-at-it-again">Digital native: Back at it Again</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; January 22, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p><b>Jobs</b></p>
<div class="keyResearch">
<div id="parent-fieldname-text-79790f6fc21648dba6d4ca3a23773ac5">
<ul>
<li><a href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/policy-officer-cyber-security">Policy Officer (Cyber Security)</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/senior-policy-officer-cyber-security">Senior Policy Officer (Cyber Security)</a> </li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/internship">Internship</a> - Application accepted throughout the year</li>
<li><a class="internal-link" href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/seeking-survey-participants-for-research-on-musician-livelihood">Survey Participants for Research on Musician Livelihood</a><a class="internal-link" href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/community-advocate-on-consultancy-basis-access-to-knowledge-language-anchor"><span class="internal-link"> </span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/digital-accessibility-in-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-act-2016">Digital accessibility in the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016</a> (Nirmita Narasimhan; January 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/workplace-solutions-champions-consultative-workshop">Workplace Solutions Champions Consultative Workshop</a> (Organized by Enable India, January 21 - 22, 2017; Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore). Nirmita Narasimhan attended the workshop.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Copyright and Patent</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/super-cassettes-v-myspace">Super Cassettes v. MySpace</a> (Redux) (Anubha Sinha; January 16, 2017).<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/events/seminar-on-rethinking-copyright-and-licensing-for-digital-publishing-today-delhi-jan-23-2017">Seminar on Rethinking Copyright and Licensing for Digital Publishing Today</a> (Organized by Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council, Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan New Delhi, and CIS; New Delhi; January 23, 2017). Anubha Sinha attended the event.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/wikisangamotsavam-2016">WikiSangamotsavam 2016</a> (Manasa Rao; January 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/telugu-wikipedia-stall-at-hyderabad-book-fair">Telugu Wikipedia Stall at Hyderabad Book Fair</a> (Manasa Rao; January 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/telugu-wikipedia-stall-at-rajahmundry-book-fair-1">Telugu Wikipedia Stall at Rajahmundry Book Fair</a> (Manasa Rao; January 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/mini-workshop-on-tools-wikipedia-monthly-meetup-hyderabad">Mini Workshop on Tools: Wikipedia Monthly Meetup, Hyderabad</a> (Manasa Rao and Pavan Santhosh; January 18, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/meet-telugu-wikipedian-surampudi-meena-gayathri-2013-the-first-south-indian-wikiwoman-completing-100wikidays-challenge">Meet Telugu Wikipedian Surampudi Meena Gayathri – the first South Indian Wikiwoman completing 100 Wikidays Challenge</a> (Ting-Yi Chang; January 23, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/events/odia-wikipedia-and-orientation-training-programme">Odia Wikipedia and Orientation Training Programme</a> (Organized by CIS-A2K team; Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal; January 31, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/openness/news/cbga-consultation-on-opening-up-access-to-budget-data-in-india-delhi-jan-27-2017">CBGA - Consultation on Opening Up Access to Budget Data in India</a> (Organized by CBGA; January 27, 2017; New Delhi). Sumandro Chattapadhyay was a speaker.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-the-report-of-the-committee-on-digital-payments-dec-2016">Comments on the Report of the Committee on Digital Payments</a> (Sumandro Chattapadhyay and Amber Sinha; January 12, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-design-technology-behind-india2019s-surveillance-programmes">The Design & Technology behind India’s Surveillance Programmes</a> (Udbhav Tiwari; January 20, 2017)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/privacy-after-big-data">Workshop on ‘Privacy after Big Data’</a> (Amber Sinha; January 27, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Events Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/discussion-on-ranking-digital-rights-in-india-delhi-jan-07-2017">Discussion on Ranking Digital Rights in India</a> (India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi; January 7, 2017).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/rankathon-on-digital-rights-delhi-jan-08-2017">Rankathon on Digital Rights</a> (CIS office, New Delhi; January 8, 2017). </li>
</ul>
<br />
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/global-governance-futures-2027-session-3-new-delhi">Global Governance Futures 2027 - Session 3</a> (Organized by Global Public Policy Institute and supported by Robert Bosch Stiftung; New Delhi; January 17, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay joined Ankhi Das (Facebook) and Arun Mohan Sukumar (Observer Research Foundation) to discuss the "data governance" scenarios developed by the GGF 2027 Fellows.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/cpdp-computers-privacy-and-data-protection-2017">CPDP (Computers, Privacy and Data Protection) 2017</a> (Organized by Privacy International; Brussels, January 26, 2017). Amber Sinha participated as a panelist.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Big Data</p>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/new-media-personalisation-and-the-role-of-algorithms">New Media, personalisation and the role of algorithms</a> (Amber Sinha; January 2, 2017).<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/training-programme-for-chairs-convenor-and-experts-for-international-standardization-work">Training programme for Chairs, Convenor and Experts for International Standardization Work</a> (Organized by National Institute of Training for Standardization, under the Bureau of India Standards; January 19 - 20, 2017; NOIDA). Udbhav Tiwari attended the training programme.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/seminar-on-understanding-financial-technology-cashless-india-and-forced-digitalisation-delhi-jan-24-2017">Seminar on Understanding Financial Technology, Cashless India, and Forced Digitalisation</a> (Centre for Financial Accountability; New Delhi; January 24, 2017). Sumandro Chattapadhyay spoke on the emerging architecture of FinTech in India.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p>►Free Speech & Expression</p>
<p><b>Submission</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-the-proposed-icann-community-anti-harassment-policy">Comments on the Proposed ICANN Community Anti-Harassment Policy</a> (Padma Venkataraman, Rohini Lakshané, Sampada Nayak and Vidushi Marda; January 13, 2017).<br /><br /></li>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/social-media-monitoring">Social Media Monitoring</a> (Amber Sinha; January 13, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<p>----------------------------------- <br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /> ----------------------------------- <b><b><br /> </b></b>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p><b>Article</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-january-4-2017-cashlessness-needs-connectivity">Cashlessness Needs Connectivity</a> (Shyam Ponappa; Business Standard; January 4, 2017 and Organizing India Blogspot; January 5, 2017).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/irc17-selected-sessions">Internet Researchers' Conference 2017</a> (IRC17) - Selected Sessions (Organized by Centre for Information Technology and Public Policy and CIS; IIIT, Bangalore; March 3 - 5, 2017). Eleven sessions have received 10 or more nominations.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/january-2017-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/january-2017-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-03-01T06:00:37ZPageCashlessness Needs Connectivity
https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-january-4-2017-cashlessness-needs-connectivity
<b>And connectivity needs political and administrative convergence. This new year brings with it uncertainties amidst the push for cashlessness. Without going into the demerits or otherwise, some clarity on a road map to go forward from where we are might help with realistic planning to manage our way out of this situation.</b>
<p>The article was published by <a class="external-link" href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/shyam-ponappa-cashlessness-needs-connectivity-117010401360_1.html">Business Standard</a> on January 4, 2017 and mirrored in <a class="external-link" href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2017_01_01_archive.html">Organizing India Blogspot</a> on January 5, 2017.</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Cashless transactions need ubiquitous connectivity, which we don’t have. Without it, the goal is simply unfeasible. Better to recognise this now, rather than act out elaborate charades, resulting in avoidable economic hardship and social ructions. Connectivity needs effective, efficient communication links at a reasonable cost. These call for realistic objectives and solid implementation, not bluster and unrealistic goals or plans, such as fibre-optic networks everywhere, payment systems on a hastily assembled database riddled with imposters, or insufficient security and privacy.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">What is required?</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">The need is for internet connectivity using fibre backbones, extending to users through aggregation networks that are mostly wireless. The chances of establishing these networks increase if political parties and government agencies take concerted action on how to do so. This is necessary for two reasons. One is that our present network development and spectrum policies do not facilitate achieving universal broadband, especially in areas with lower commercial potential than prosperous urban clusters. The second is the legacy of network development with entrenched rivalries and perceived ways of managing spectrum, and the aftermath of the spectrum scam. These constrain society’s collective ability to configure solutions for connectivity, as opposed to the biased or limited perceptions of stakeholder groups such as the government, the judiciary, the citizenry, and industry (comprising service providers and equipment suppliers). Government agencies also have divergent agenda, e.g., the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is responsible for recommending spectrum use, the Department of Telecommunications/Ministry of Communications has licensing authority and runs the state-owned operators, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting holds certain spectrum bands, the Ministry of Defence and government agencies hold other bands, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is responsible (without the authority) for providing broadband. Hence, the need for a convergent approach, as effected partially for electricity supply, from coal mining through transportation to distribution (although other sectors – hydel, hydrocarbons and nuclear – are yet to be similarly linked).</p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify; ">What needs doing</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Radical changes such as pooling and sharing network infrastructure have to be considered for widespread connectivity. Such changes can’t happen with confrontation and mistrust, but only with trust and cooperation. This may seem naïve, but the ruling party leadership sets the tone for cooperation, as does the administrative leadership. Their pitch has to be sufficiently persuasive to induce diverse stakeholders – other political leaders, the judiciary, the citizenry who want industry to pay their pound of flesh while getting good services that are priced very low, and the operators, who have huge investments in networks and spectrum rights – to consider sharing equipment, and to work out worthwhile terms for everyone.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Currently, contending political parties pursuing selfish objectives as antagonists settle at the lowest achievable equilibrium. To understand why, consider two parties, A and B, with objectives along the horizontal X axis for A and the vertical Y axis for B in the chart.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><img height="256" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DchG8EFkWos/WHBJRMF2VLI/AAAAAAAACpA/At9I2LDQeAY_D8u-1tn2b8GxOJcDziQSwCLcB/s320/Finding%2BA%2BBetter%2BEquilibrium%2BThrough%2BCollaboration.png" width="320" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>When parties pursue conflicting interests confrontationally, they end up at N or Nash Equilibrium, where neither can improve their position without the other’s concurrence. Assume A has the objective of maximising a majoritarian agenda, while B seeks to maximise dynastic control of its leadership positions. This holds for any objectives that are unrelated (orthogonal). If their objectives are along the same dimension — say, control of the Centre or of the same states, there can be no accommodation: one wins what the other loses. This has happened so far, as parties are periodically voted in and then out by a disenchanted electorate. But if they accommodate, their equilibrium could move up to S, the “Best Feasible Equilibrium” point, where the acceptable limits of their respective objectives meet. (For more details, see: “<a href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.com/2008/04/tatas-corus-buy-game-theory-analysis.html" target="_blank">Tata’s Corus Buy: A Game Theory Analysis</a>”, organizing-india.blogspot.in, November 2, 2006, and "<a href="http://organizing-india.blogspot.in/2008/04/indias-access-to-nuclear-fuel_18.html" target="_blank">India’s Access To Nuclear Fuel & Technology</a>", April 3, </span><span>2008.)</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Imagine waking up to find that instead of the usual confrontation and vitriol, a different and gracious protocol awaits you. One of harmonious interaction marked by accommodation and courtesy, despite nature being red in tooth and claw. Utopian? Perhaps. But not if the powers that be realise that the way out of the cashless crisis is to seek benefits for everyone, instead of self-destructing by chasing chimera such as pure cashlessness or other unrealistic goals. Instead, they could give people what they need but don’t have: ubiquitous communications infrastructure that facilitates all activities (not just cashless transactions), and a more secure, well-ordered environment for pursuing their livelihoods and well-being. Policy decisions to share network infrastructure would be the start of this journey.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>We can then break out of the impasse created by legacy communications policies and posturing, e.g., which party was responsible for what scam, the popular obsession with high auction prices for spectrum while wanting cheaper services, and operators committed to cornering spectrum.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Once the leadership collaborates, they’ll find that communications services delivery will be much improved by sharing capacity and coordination. This would enable other stakeholders – private sector operators, the citizenry, the judiciary – to accept that everyone gains from cooperative access to and delivery of communications services, provided adequate profits are generated and shared equitably. This will help in accepting a more rational, pay-for-use policy on the lines of highways, metro rail, or oil pipeline usage, and recognise the financial infeasibility of having auctions as well as funds for investments in networks for countrywide broadband access.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><span>Government and stakeholders can then work together to develop solutions that are fair and practical. For instance, one or more consortium/s of operators with the government as a co-investor in each (on the lines of Singapore’s OpenNet) can co-own the network and coordinate for most effective and efficient service delivery. Earnings from spectrum usage can be collected by the government once the networks are commercially viable, as for developing any other infrastructure. Such collections are likely to exceed the auction fees foregone, as with revenue sharing from licence fees.</span></p>
<p><span><br /></span></p>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-january-4-2017-cashlessness-needs-connectivity'>https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/business-standard-shyam-ponappa-january-4-2017-cashlessness-needs-connectivity</a>
</p>
No publisherShyam PonappaBroadbandTelecom2017-02-02T15:17:34ZBlog EntryDecember 2016 Newsletter
https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/december-2016-newsletter
<b>Welcome to the December 2016 newsletter of the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). </b>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">Dear readers,</p>
<p>Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year. As the New Year unfolds we are glad to bring you developments from the last month of the year gone by for your reference. Thank you for reading the Centre for Internet and Society's (CIS) December 2016 newsletter.</p>
<p>Previous issues of the newsletters can be <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/about/newsletters">accessed here</a>.</p>
<hr style="text-align: justify; " />
<table class="grid listing" style="text-align: justify; ">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Highlights</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Telugu Theatre scholar Pranay Raj Vangari <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/pranay-raj-record-in-100-days-100-articles">created a record by completing a challenge</a> that is famous worldwide in Wikimedia community - "100 Days-100 Articles". </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Rohini Lakshané attended the 25th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on the Law of Patents held in Geneva from December 12 - 15, 2016 and made a statement on <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/25th-session-of-the-wipo-scp-statement-on-future-work">Future Work</a>. She also submitted a statement on the <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/twenty-fifth-session-of-wipo-scp-statement-on-assessment-of-inventive-step">Assessment of Inventive Step</a> to Secretariat for the WIPO Standing Committee for the Law of Patents, Twenty Fifth Session.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/cis-inputs-to-the-working-group-on-enhanced-cooperation-on-public-policy-issues-pertaining-to-the-internet-wgec">submitted inputs to the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation on Public Policy Issues Pertaining to the Internet</a> (WGEC) on 15 December 2016. The WGEC sought inputs on two questions that will guide the next meeting of the Working Group which is scheduled to take place on the 26-27 January 2017. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Udbhav Tiwari <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-wire-udbhav-tiwari-december-15-2016-curious-case-of-poor-security-in-indian-twitterverse">wrote an article on the technical, legal and jurisdictional issues around the recent Twitter and email hacks</a> claimed by the ‘Legion Crew’, and what can targeted entities do to better protect themselves. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Amber Sinha <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/deep-packet-inspection-how-it-works-and-its-impact-on-privacy">wrote a blog entry</a> that focuses on network management, in general, and deep packet inspection, in particular and how it impacts the privacy of users. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS is <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/papers/mapping-digital-humanities-in-india">pleased to bring you the second title of the CIS Papers series</a>. This report by P.P. Sneha comes out of an extended research project supported by the Kusuma Trust. The study undertook a detailed mapping of digital practices in arts and humanities scholarship, both emerging and established, in India. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">Zeenab Aneez <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-newspapers-digital-transition">wrote a report that examines the digital transition underway at three leading newspapers in India</a>, the Dainik Jagran in Hindi, English-language Hindustan Times, and Malayala Manorama in Malayalam. Our focus is on how they are changing their newsroom organisation and journalistic work to expand their digital presence and adapt to a changing media environment.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify; ">CIS <a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/cis-submission-trai-note-on-interoperable-scalable-public-wifi">made a submission on the Consultation Note on Model for Nation-wide Interoperable and Scalable Public Wi-Fi Networks</a> published by the TRAI on November 15, 2016. Our analysis of the solution proposed in the Note, in brief, is that there is no need of a solution for non-existing interoperability problem for authentication and payment services for accessing public Wi-Fi networks.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b>CIS in the news:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/economic-times-december-1-2016-neha-alawadhi-lack-of-clarity-about-cashless-and-online-transactions-makes-digital-payments-more-worrisome">Lack of clarity about cashless and online transactions makes digital payments more worrisome </a>(Neha Alawadhi; Economic Times; December 1, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/story-weaver-december-1-2016-pooja-saxena-changing-the-typographic-landscape-of-a-country">Changing the typographic landscape of a country: one letter at a time</a> (Pooja Saxena; Storyweaver; December 1, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/business-standard-december-2-2016-alnoor-peermohammed-no-laws-in-india-to-protect-customers-if-they-lose-money-during-digital-transactions">No laws in India to protect customers if they lose money during digital transactions </a>(Alnoor Peermohamed; Business Standard; December 2, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/indian-express-december-2-2016-fake-narendra-modi-apps-aplenty-but-it-is-up-to-users-to-protect-themselves">Fake Narendra Modi apps aplenty, but it’s up to users to protect themselves</a> (Indian Express; December 2, 2016). Also see Nandini Yadav's blog post in <a class="external-link" href="http://www.bgr.in/news/beware-of-the-fake-narendra-modi-app-on-google-play-store/">BGR</a> on December 3, 2016.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/hindu-samarth-bansal-december-5-2016-your-digital-wallet-can-be-a-pickpocket">Your digital wallet can be a ‘pickpocket’</a> (The Hindu; December 5, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/et-telecom-december-7-2016-most-popular-smartphone-apps-inaccessible-to-disabled-study">Most popular smartphone apps inaccessible to disabled: Study</a> (ET Telecom; December 7, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/new-indian-express-december-7-2016-regina-gurung-english-gottila-job-illa">English gottila,job illa</a> (Regina Gurung; Indian Express; December 7, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/statesman-december-7-2016-smriti-sharma-vasudeva-bumpy-road-ahead-for-rfid-tags-in-vehicles">Bumpy road ahead for RFID Tags in vehicles</a> (Smriti Sharma Vasudeva; Statesman; December 7, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/indias-tech-policy-entrepreneurs">India's Tech Policy Entrepreneurs</a> (Rohin Dharmakumar; The Ken; December 8, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/business-standard-alnoor-peermohamed-december-10-2016-vijay-mallya-cries-foul-after-his-twitter-and-email-accounts-are-hacked">Vijay Mallya cries foul after his Twitter and email accounts are hacked</a> (Alnoor Peermohamed; Business Standard; December 10, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/namaste-telangana-december-11-2016-article-on-wikipedia">విజ్ఞాన నిధి వికీపీడియా.. </a>(Namaste Telangana; December 11, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/andhra-bhoomi-december-11-2016-article-on-wikipedia">వికీపీడియాతో విజ్ఞాన విప్లవం</a> (Andhra Bhoomi; December 11, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/namaste-telangana-december-11-2016-wikipedia-is-a-newspaper">Wikipedia is a Newspaper</a> (Namaste Telangana; December 11, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/andhra-jyoti-december-12-2016-telugu-wikipedians-are-creating-knowledge-revolution">Wikipedian Pavan Santhosh says Telugu Wikipedians are creating Knowledge revolution</a> (in Telugu) (Andhra Jyoti; December 12, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/vijaya-karnataka-december-18-2016-wikipedia-event-in-mangalore">Wikipedia Event in Mangalore</a> (Vijaya Karnataka; December 18, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/scroll-in-vinita-govindarajan-shrutisagar-yamunan-with-power-phone-and-internet-services-affected-chennai-is-still-recovering-from-cyclone-vardah">With power, phone and internet services affected, Chennai is still recovering from Cyclone Vardah</a> (Vinita Govindarajan and Sruthisagar Yamunan; Scroll.in; December 20, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/hindustan-november-12-2016-article-1-opencon-conference-held-at-ru">पीजी जूलॉजी विभाग में एक दिवसीय समागम का आयोजन</a> (Hindustan, December 20, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/scroll-m-rajshekhar-how-private-companies-are-using-aadhaar-to-deliver-better-services-but-theres-a-catch">How private companies are using Aadhaar to try to deliver better services (but there's a catch)</a> (M. Rajshekhar; Scroll.in; December 22, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/new-indian-express-december-27-2016-christin-philip-mathew-it-hub-karnataka-ranks-12-in-e-deals">‘IT hub’ K’taka ranks No 12 in e-deals</a> (Christin Philip Mathew; New Indian Express; December 27, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/the-national-december-31-2016-samanth-subramanian-indias-ruling-party-takes-online-abuse-to-a-professional-level">India’s ruling party takes online abuse to a professional level</a> (Samanth Subramanian; December 31, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p>CIS members published the following articles:</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-december-4-2016-nishant-shah-digital-native-the-view-from-my-bubble">Digital native: The View from My Bubble</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; December 4, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-newspapers-digital-transition">Indian Newspapers' Digital Transition</a> (Zeenab Azeez; Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; December 9, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/giswatch-december-9-2016-sunil-abraham-and-vidushi-marda-digital-protection-of-traditional-knowledge-questions-raised-by-traditional-knowledge-digital-library-in-india">The Digital Protection of Traditional Knowledge: Questions Raised by the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India </a>(Sunil Abraham and Vidushi Marda; GIS Watch; December 9, 2016)</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/the-wire-udbhav-tiwari-december-15-2016-curious-case-of-poor-security-in-indian-twitterverse">The Curious Case of Poor Security in the Indian Twitterverse </a>(Udbhav Tiwari; The Wire; December 17, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/pranay-raj-record-in-100-days-100-articles">Pranay Raj record in 100 days-100 articles</a> (Pavan Santhosh; Andhra Jyoti; December 17, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/raw/indian-express-december-18-2016-digital-native-people-like-us">Digital Native: People Like Us</a> (Nishant Shah; Indian Express; December 18, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/100-days-100-articles-wikipedian-from-motkur-created-record-in-telugu-wikipedia">వంద రోజులు.. వంద వ్యాసాలు - తెలుగు వికీపీడియాలో మోత్కూరు యువకుని రికార్డు </a>(100 Days...100 Articles: Wikipedian from Motkur created record in Telugu Wikipedia) (Pavan Santhosh; Andhra Jyoti; December 18, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Jobs</b></p>
<p>CIS is seeking applications for:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/policy-officer-cyber-security">Policy Officer (Cyber Security)</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://cis-india.org/jobs/senior-policy-officer-cyber-security">Senior Policy Officer (Cyber Security)</a> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">-------------------------------------<br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility">Accessibility & Inclusion</a> <br /> ------------------------------------- <br /> India has an estimated 70 million persons with disabilities who don't have access to read printed materials due to some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. As part of our endeavour to make available accessible content for persons with disabilities, we are developing a text-to-speech software in 15 languages with support from the Hans Foundation. The progress made so far in the project can be accessed <a href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/resources/nvda-text-to-speech-synthesizer">here</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Event Co-organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/events/international-accessibility-summit-shaastra-2017">International Accessibility Summit of Shaastra 2017</a> (Organized by CIS and IIT, Madaras; December 31 - January 3, 2017). Nirmita Narasimhan was a panel moderator.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/accessibility/news/best-practices-in-digital-accessibility">Best Practices in Digital Accessibility</a> (Organized by IIM, Bangalore; December 19, 2016). Nirmita Narasimhan was a panelist. </li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k">Access to Knowledge</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br />Our Access to Knowledge programme currently consists of two projects. The Pervasive Technologies project, conducted under a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), aims to conduct research on the complex interplay between low-cost pervasive technologies and intellectual property, in order to encourage the proliferation and development of such technologies as a social good. The Wikipedia project, which is under a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation, is for the growth of Indic language communities and projects by designing community collaborations and partnerships that recruit and cultivate new editors and explore innovative approaches to building projects.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Copyright and Patent</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Statements</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/twenty-fifth-session-of-wipo-scp-statement-on-assessment-of-inventive-step">25th Session of the WIPO SCP: Statement on Assessment of Inventive Step </a>(Rohini Lakshané; December 15, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/25th-session-of-the-wipo-scp-statement-on-future-work">25th Session of the WIPO SCP: Statement on Future work</a> (Rohini Lakshané; December 16, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify; "><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/news/7th-emerging-markets-finance-conference">7th Emerging Markets Finance Conference</a> (Organized by Finance Research Group in association with Vanderbilt Law School; Mumbai; December 15, 2016). Anubha Sinha was a panelist.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Wikipedia</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of the <a href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/access-to-knowledge-program-plan">project grant from the Wikimedia Foundation</a> we have reached out to more than 3500 people across India by organizing more than 100 outreach events and catalysed the release of encyclopaedic and other content under the Creative Commons (CC-BY-3.0) license in four Indian languages (21 books in Telugu, 13 in Odia, 4 volumes of encyclopaedia in Konkani and 6 volumes in Kannada, and 1 book on Odia language history in English).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/freedominfeb">Freedom in Feb — an awareness increasing campaign</a> (Tito Dutta; December 8, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/a-shortcut-to-freedom">A Shortcut to Freedom</a> (Tito Dutta; December 14, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/marathi-wikipedia-edit-a-thon-in-kolhapur">Marathi Wikipedia Edit-a-thon in Kolhapur</a> (Subodh Kulkarni; December 16, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/a2k/blogs/ongoing-proof-reading-effort-by-alc-student-wikimedians-in-telugu-wikisource">Ongoing Proof-reading Effort by ALC Student Wikimedians in Telugu Wikisource</a> (Pavan Santosh and Ting-Yi Chang; December 30, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">►Openness</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Our work in the Openness programme focuses on open data, especially open government data, open access, open education resources, open knowledge in Indic languages, open media, and open technologies and standards - hardware and software. We approach openness as a cross-cutting principle for knowledge production and distribution, and not as a thing-in-itself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Submission</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/comments-on-draft-national-policy-on-software-products">Comments on the Draft National Policy on Software Products </a>(Anubha Sinha, Rohini Lakshané, and Udbhav Tiwari; December 11, 2016).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance">Internet Governance</a> <br /><b> -----------------------------------</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">As part of its research on privacy and free speech, CIS is engaged with two different projects. The first one (under a grant from Privacy International and IDRC) is on surveillance and freedom of expression (SAFEGUARDS). The second one (under a grant from MacArthur Foundation) is on restrictions that the Indian government has placed on freedom of expression online.</p>
<p>►Privacy</p>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/privacy-and-security-implications-of-public-wi-fi-a-case-study">Privacy and Security Implications of Public Wi-Fi - A Case Study</a> (Vanya Rakesh; December 9, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/habeas-data-in-india">Habeas Data in India</a> (Vipul Kharbanda and edited by Elonnai Hickok; December 10, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/workshop-report-uidai-and-welfare-services-august-27-2016">Workshop Report - UIDAI and Welfare Services: Exclusion and Countermeasures</a> (Vanya Rakesh; December 14, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/enlarging-the-small-print">Enlarging the Small Print: A Study on Designing Effective Privacy Notices for Mobile Applications</a> (Meera Manoj; December 14, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/protection-of-privacy-in-mobile-phone-apps">Protection of Privacy in Mobile Phone Apps</a> (Hitabhilash Mohanty and Edited by Leilah Elmokadem; December 15, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/iso-iec-jtc-1-sc-27-working-group-meetings-a-summary">ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 27 Working Group Meetings - A Summary</a> (Vanya Rakesh; December 16, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/deep-packet-inspection-how-it-works-and-its-impact-on-privacy">Deep Packet Inspection: How it Works and its Impact on Privacy </a>(Amber Sinha; December 16, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/industry-consultation-panel-on-data-retention-dsci">Industry Consultation Panel on Data Retention - DSCI</a> (Organized by Data Security Council of India; New Delhi; November 23, 2016). <i>This was mirrored on the website on December 6, 2016</i>. Udbhav Tiwari was a panelist.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/dsci-nasscom-annual-information-security-summit-2016">11th DSCI-NASSCOM Annual Information Security Summit 2016</a> (Organized by DSCI and NASSCOM; December 14, 2016). Udbhav Tiwari was a panelist.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/workshop-on-center-for-it-and-society">Workshop on Center for IT and Society</a> (Organized by IIT, Delhi; December 20, 2016). Amber Sinha attended the event.</li>
</ul>
<p>►Free Speech & Expression</p>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/isis-and-recruitment-using-social-media-2013-roundtable-report">ISIS and Recruitment using Social Media – Roundtable Report</a> (Vidushi Marda, Aditya Tejus, Megha Nambiar and Japreet Grewal; December 15, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/cis-inputs-to-the-working-group-on-enhanced-cooperation-on-public-policy-issues-pertaining-to-the-internet-wgec">Inputs to the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation on Public Policy Issues Pertaining to the Internet (WGEC)</a> (Sunil Abraham and Vidushi Marda, with inputs from Pranesh Prakash; December 17, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Participation in Event</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/myanmar-digital-rights-forum">Myanmar Digital Rights Forum</a> (Organized by Phandeeyar, You Can Do IT, Engage Media and Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business with support from the Embassy of Sweden; December 14 - 15, 2016). Sunil Abraham was a speaker.</li>
</ul>
<p>►Big Data</p>
<p><b>Participation in Events</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/news/decoding-the-digital-winter-school-at-iiit-bangalore">"Decoding the Digital" </a>(Organized by Centre for IT and Public Policy at IIIT; Bangalore; December 12 - 14, 2016). Vanya Rakesh attended the event.</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/files/european-studies-guest-lecture/view">The EU and Free Flows of Data - Data Protection, Trade and Law Enforcement</a> (Organized by the Department of European Studies; Bangalore; December 14, 2016). Ameila Andersdotter gave a talk.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Blog Entry</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/technology-behind-big-data">The Technology behind Big Data</a> (Geethanjali Jujjavarapu and Udbhav Tiwari; December 1, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p>►Cyber Security</p>
<p><b>Blog Entries</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/major-security-flaw-namo-app">Developer team fixed vulnerabilities in Honorable PM's app and API</a> (Bhavyanshu Parasher; December 4, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/incident-response-requirements-in-indian-law">Incident Response Requirements in Indian Law</a> (Vipul Kharbanda; December 28, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/india-cyber-security-bilateral-agreements-map-dec-2016">Mapping of India’s Cyber Security-Related Bilateral Agreements</a> (Leilah Elmokadem and Saumyaa Naidu; December 29, 2016).</li>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/india-mlat-agreements-sections-map-dec-2016">Mapping of Sections in India’s MLAT Agreements</a> (Leilah Elmokadem and Saumyaa Naidu; December 31, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Event Organized</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/internet-governance/events/multistakeholder-consultation-on-encryption">Multistakeholder Consultation on Encryption</a> (Organized by CIS with ORF and Takshashila Institution; TERI, Bangalore; December 17, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>----------------------------------- <br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/telecom">Telecom</a> <br /> ----------------------------------- <b><br /> </b></b>CIS is involved in promoting access and accessibility to telecommunications services and resources, and has provided inputs to ongoing policy discussions and consultation papers published by TRAI. It has prepared reports on unlicensed spectrum and accessibility of mobile phones for persons with disabilities and also works with the USOF to include funding projects for persons with disabilities in its mandate:</p>
<p>Submission</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/cis-submission-trai-note-on-interoperable-scalable-public-wifi">CIS Submission to TRAI Consultation Note on Model for Nation-wide Interoperable and Scalable Public Wi-Fi Networks</a> (Japreet Grewal, Pranesh Prakash, Sharath Chandra, Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Sunil Abraham, and Udbhav Tiwari, with expert comments from Amelia Andersdotter; December 12, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p><b>-----------------------------------</b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/raw">Researchers at Work</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Researchers at Work (RAW) programme is an interdisciplinary research initiative driven by an emerging need to understand the reconfigurations of social practices and structures through the Internet and digital media technologies, and vice versa. It aims to produce local and contextual accounts of interactions, negotiations, and resolutions between the Internet, and socio-material and geo-political processes:</p>
<p><b>Research Paper</b></p>
<ul>
<li><a class="external-link" href="http://cis-india.org/papers/mapping-digital-humanities-in-india">Mapping Digital Humanities in India</a> (P.P. Sneha; December 30, 2016).</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify; "><b>----------------------------------- </b><br /><a href="http://cis-india.org/">About CIS</a> <br /><b> ----------------------------------- </b><br /> The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes interdisciplinary research on internet and digital technologies from policy and academic perspectives. The areas of focus include digital accessibility for persons with disabilities, access to knowledge, intellectual property rights, openness (including open data, free and open source software, open standards, open access, open educational resources, and open video), internet governance, telecommunication reform, digital privacy, and cyber-security. The academic research at CIS seeks to understand the reconfigurations of social and cultural processes and structures as mediated through the internet and digital media technologies.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Follow us elsewhere</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<ul style="text-align: justify; ">
<li> Twitter:<a href="http://twitter.com/cis_india"> http://twitter.com/cis_india</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Access to Knowledge: <a href="https://twitter.com/CISA2K">https://twitter.com/CISA2K</a> </li>
<li> Twitter - Information Policy: <a href="https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy">https://twitter.com/CIS_InfoPolicy</a></li>
<li> Facebook - Access to Knowledge:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k"> https://www.facebook.com/cisa2k</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Access to Knowledge: <a>a2k@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> E-Mail - Researchers at Work: <a>raw@cis-india.org</a> </li>
<li> List - Researchers at Work: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/researchers</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Support Us</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<div style="text-align: justify; ">Please help us defend consumer and citizen rights on the Internet! Write a cheque in favour of 'The Centre for Internet and Society' and mail it to us at No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross, Domlur, 2nd Stage, Bengaluru - 5600 71.</div>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify; ">► Request for Collaboration</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; ">
<p style="text-align: justify; ">We invite researchers, practitioners, artists, and theoreticians, both organisationally and as individuals, to engage with us on topics related internet and society, and improve our collective understanding of this field. To discuss such possibilities, please write to Sunil Abraham, Executive Director, at sunil@cis-india.org (for policy research), or Sumandro Chattapadhyay, Research Director, at sumandro@cis-india.org (for academic research), with an indication of the form and the content of the collaboration you might be interested in. To discuss collaborations on Indic language Wikipedia projects, write to Tanveer Hasan, Programme Officer, at <a>tanveer@cis-india.org</a>.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify; "><i>CIS is grateful to its primary donor the Kusuma Trust founded by Anurag Dikshit and Soma Pujari, philanthropists of Indian origin for its core funding and support for most of its projects. CIS is also grateful to its other donors, Wikimedia Foundation, Ford Foundation, Privacy International, UK, Hans Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and IDRC for funding its various projects</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>
For more details visit <a href='https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/december-2016-newsletter'>https://cis-india.org/about/newsletters/december-2016-newsletter</a>
</p>
No publisherpraskrishnaAccess to KnowledgeTelecomAccessibilityInternet GovernanceResearchers at Work2017-01-28T12:02:23ZPage