Most governments argue that the source of most problems and headaches in the modern world is the online world, which includes social media. Most governments are considering how to control the Internet, which has been abandoned in the digital age. Strong online surveillance and control will also come to India. The central government is going to implement an amendment to the law to remove any content that is a challenge to society and the country directly to central agencies, as the government is doing in China. WhatsApp and Twitter have already protested against this. However, some companies did not criticize what the government said and reported in writing that they could stay here according to the rules.
Wikipedia has also spoken out against the new law to be implemented by the central government. It is understood that the content of all online media, including Wikipedia, will change dramatically through the interim guidelines that the government intends to implement. India will need a new Wikipedia. It was reported that the Ministry of Information Technology had proposed to amend the rules of article 79 of the Information Technology Law. But People’s reports say that is exactly what is happening.
The amendment would require intermediaries under the IT Act to identify and take action before illegal content or information online. This means that the content can only be provided on all online websites in the country as directed by the government. This is exactly what the Chinese government has been doing for years.
In short, the requirements for automated filtering and rapid content removal will completely eliminate online services, including online encyclopedias. Now anyone can edit Wikipedia. However, the Wikimedia Foundation had previously said in a letter to Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that the new law would hamper the voluntary model for editing live information. That means online services will be able to be regulated and blocked when necessary, as the government says, if the new law goes into effect.
The Wikipedia resource is selected by language, not by geographic markets. The Wikipedia Foundation states that the new rules will affect the entire website. Mandatory filtering systems that automatically monitor and remove illegal content throughout the website can seriously affect Wikipedia’s public cooperation. The short response time for deletions can disrupt people’s ability to collaborate live on a wiki that requires the use of automated systems. Keep in mind that open editing is crucial to the growth of Wikipedia.
It is impossible to control that changes within a Wikipedia article appear in a country. Experts say that meeting a country’s mandatory content removal requirements will affect Wikipedia users around the world.
The government will monitor all online platforms like in China
Central agencies can monitor and control all online platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Google, Tic Tac Toe, Instagram, blogs and websites. A section of online users criticizes that this will put an end to online freedom in the country. Like China, most Arab countries control social media and online media.
Officials from the Central Cyber Law Division have reportedly held discussions with Internet service providers such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. But companies like WhatsApp had previously refused to give permission to verify the content. The new move comes before a draft amendment to the rules under Section 79 of the TI Act. However, if the law is enforced, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption security will be compromised. The government can always monitor anyone’s chat. You can even take legal action on behalf of the chat.
Previously, it was reported that more than a dozen agencies had received permission to filter computers and smartphones. Section 79 requires each online medium and platform to include control and removal of its content. According to the order, the source must find out where the content comes from within 72 hours and inform the Central Government or the Investigation and Security Agencies. However, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the amendment to the AT Law was aimed at preventing misuse of online opportunities and creating accountability and transparency.
China has tightened surveillance of the Internet, monitoring Internet service providers and telecommunications companies. All services of major tech companies are banned in China. The same is planned to be implemented in India. The government is developing the Indian version of the most popular online services. Applications to replace Twitter and WhatsApp have already been introduced. At the same time, all Chinese apps were banned.
The government watches over private computers
The Union Ministry of the Interior had ordered 10 security and intelligence agencies to monitor and hijack information on any computer in the country. After the controversy, the ministry issued a statement justifying the action the same day. The explanation was that the action was taken under Section 69 (1) of the Information Technology (IT) Act and subsequent rules. He also clarified that no one has been granted new powers except under current law.
When Congress accused the measure of being part of an undeclared state of emergency, the NDA government reiterated that it was just a matter of law passed by the UPA government. The unofficial explanation is that the measure comes as a result of an increase in cybercrime and the use of digital media by terrorists.
Supervisory rights of these agencies
Intelligence Office, Narcotics Control Office, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Revenue Intelligence Directorate, CBI, NIA, Cabinet Secretariat (Investigation and Analysis Wing), Signals Intelligence Directorate (Police) for the Northeast and the State of Kashmir.
Section 69 (1) of the IT Act
Article 69 (1) of the Information Technology Law authorizes the Government to order the agencies to monitor and collect information on computers in order to prevent or prosecute crimes in the interests of sovereignty, integrity, defense, India’s safety and friendship with foreign countries.
Summary in English: No criticism, just keep going … India will be like China, what’s going to happen?
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