Internet Freedom Foundation

Born out of #SaveTheInternet. IFF advances democratic freedoms for every Indian in a digital society.

Website: https://internetfreedom.in
Become a member: https://internetfreedom.in/donate
Join our Telegram community: https://t.me/IFFchats

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[email protected]

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nprofile1qqsvjth54ckcafmymw8hjulchvmckyuqgsk6acrvqv28gkt45ayntvspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dspyzd8u

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relay.damus.io

nos.lol

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npub1eyh0ft3d36nkfku009el3weh3vfcq3pd4msxcqc5w3vhtf6fxkeq9rae7d

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Last Notes

2024-12-28 08:12:02 GMT

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible legal team: Apar Gupta, Gautam Bhatia, Brinda Bhandari, Abhinav Sekhri, Gayatri Malhotra, Rubayya Tasneem, and Medha Garg.
Their dedication, brilliance, & unwavering support have been the backbone of our strategic litigation efforts. We’re so grateful to have them in this fight! 8/9

2024-12-28 08:09:27 GMT

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⚖️ Challenging Censorship on Social Media
In Jan 2024, Hindutva Watch’s X/Twitter account, documenting hate crimes, was blocked in India without notice or a hearing. 🚨
IFF stepped in & filed a first-ever user-led challenge to Social Media account blocking as a disproportionate restriction on freedom of speech. The Delhi HC has issued notice—this fight could set a vital precedent! 💪 6/9

2024-12-28 08:07:52 GMT

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📵 Transparency in Internet Shutdowns
Our fight for transparency in internet suspension orders bore fruit as the Supreme Court mandated the publication of Review Committee orders. A crucial step in limiting arbitrary shutdowns! 5/9

2024-12-28 08:07:31 GMT

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💬 Landmark Penalty on Meta
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) fined Meta ₹213.14 Cr for abusing its dominance through WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy.
IFF submitted expert information to the CCI’s suo moto investigation & played a key role in this milestone for privacy & fair competition. 4/9

2024-12-28 08:07:09 GMT

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The Bombay HC struck down the IT Rules, 2023 that established the govt. run Fact Check Units that would take down fake news relating to the “business of the government” – IFF provided legal assistance to 2 petitioners in what has been a win for democratic ideals 🎉 3/9

2024-12-28 08:06:30 GMT

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We win, still, we persist!
In 2024, IFF filed 8 new cases, 6 key cases were disposed of, & numerous legal notices were sent to hold both the State & big tech accountable. Advocacy takes persistence—& we’re in it for the long haul. 2/9

2024-12-28 08:06:09 GMT

From internet shutdowns to censorship, IFF fought for your digital freedoms this year. Wins, setbacks, and everything in between—take a look back at what we were up to in 2024 ⏪1/9
https://internetfreedom.in/2024-year-in-review-in-court-we-won-but-persist/

2024-12-26 09:27:59 GMT

🚨 Big updates from 2024! We filed 511 RTIs to uncover the truth about surveillance, AI, content takedowns & more, 68 First Appeals & 5 cases to the CIC.
What did we find? Secretive consultations, unclear AI policies & censorship in action. 👇
https://internetfreedom.in/2024-year-end-transparency-report/ 1/5

2024-12-19 11:59:45 GMT

Training AI requires huge amounts of data, & recent debates on how your public personal data is obtained through platforms like LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Meta & Bluesky have opened our eyes to the opt-out cop out – how these platforms are scraping user data for training AI often without your consent
🧵1/8
https://internetfreedom.in/analysis-of-web-scrapping/

2024-12-14 06:48:43 GMT

📍Delhi!
Catch IFF Associate Policy Counsel Karthika Rajmohan & Of-Counsel Vrinda Bhandari along with a panel of experts for CCG NLUD’s event:
"Navigating Data Protection & Digital Rights: Setting the 2025 Agenda".
📅Monday, 16th Dec
⏲️5:00 - 7:30 PM
🗺Magnolia Hall, India Habitat Centre
🔗Register now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzaAQsrM12GnIUlt-TFpluMNv9NZl0gr9cP2yxo8WXUV4NVA/viewform
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/649/838/744/182/500/original/cdf31a88bf0567d1.png

2024-11-26 11:45:59 GMT

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The privacy policy states that users may encounter cookies or similar devices from the Ministry's affiliates.
The Ministry skirts responsibility for all third-party cookies including the cookies placed by the Ministry’s own affiliates, leaving users to bear all its risks. (3/10)
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/549/086/192/555/116/original/078b94c640f6b21a.jpeg

2024-11-26 11:45:17 GMT

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The website collects sensitive user data including your name, address, sex, nationality, and even your browsing history, IP address, and the URLs you visit before & after accessing the site. (2/10)
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/549/083/056/806/831/original/493b102117f80911.jpeg

2024-11-26 11:44:38 GMT

On the occasion of 75 years of the Constitution, the Ministry of Culture has launched the http://constitution75.com website allowing citizens to ‘read the Preamble and share their videos’.
However, a glance at the website's privacy policy raises some concerns. (1/10)

2024-11-19 08:02:36 GMT

🚨 Massive Victory! 🚨
CCI has imposed a historic penalty of ₹213.14 cr (approx. $25.25 M) on Meta for abusing its dominant position via WhatsApp's 2021 Privacy Policy. IFF submitted expert information as an informant. Let’s break it down 🧵👇1/10
https://internetfreedom.in/statement-cci-imposes-landmark-penalty-of-213-14-crore-on-meta-for-exploiting-its-dominant-position-through-whatsapps-2021-privacy-policy/

2024-11-15 10:54:47 GMT

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The Goa govt has acknowledged that no public consultation was conducted before this policy was implemented, raising significant concerns about the lack of citizen involvement & the potential for arbitrary decision-making.
Various other states have also introduced similar policies. However, most of these policies remain unavailable in the public domain.
In an attempt to get the policy document & other information, we filed RTIs with all these states. 5/7

2024-11-15 10:53:20 GMT

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The information about the allocation & expenditure of funds has also been provided to us. 4/7
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/486/587/516/123/822/original/5d7c8353a3169c61.jpeg

2024-11-15 10:51:00 GMT

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Names of the empaneled influencers have also been provided along with the category of influencers as per the Policy. 3/7
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/486/582/320/959/042/original/a22c1fc620cc4ced.jpeg

2024-11-15 10:49:35 GMT

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The detailed response includes:
1. Copy of Policy document,
2. The names of empanelled influencers,
3. Budget allocations & expenditures, &
4. Details of any actions, if taken against influencers
PDF of the full response 👇2/7
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlv1EUI6DyuBQ19wLwUzbDEThJ8bIaDS/view?usp=sharing

2024-11-15 10:48:41 GMT

In Sept, we found out that the Goa Govt has launched a Social Media Influencer Policy to empanel influencers to promote govt schemes & policies.
However, the policy was not made public. We filed an RTI requesting the policy doc & other info on this policy.
The recent response provided by the Goa govt offers a promising step towards greater transparency & accountability in govt policies. 1/7

2024-11-07 07:13:24 GMT

Like, Share, Prescribe 🤨?
On Aug 28, 2024, the UP govt introduced the Digital Media Policy, 2024 with financial incentives for digital creators.
We compared 5 state-level digital media policies & their impact on our right to free speech. ⅛
https://internetfreedom.in/comparative-analysis-of-five-state-level-digital-media-influencer-policies/

2024-10-24 11:36:18 GMT

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With many states aboard the bandwagon, the implementation of APAAR ID can be catastrophic for the privacy & autonomy of students across India, unless we resist it as a community.
Become a digital rights defender, become an IFF member! 8/8
https://internetfreedom.in/donate/

2024-10-24 11:35:59 GMT

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As per the Puttaswamy judgement, any privacy-infringing measure by the State must satisfy a 5-prong test for it to be a justified & reasonable restriction on the right. The first prong is legality.
The implementation of the APAAR ID fails this at the outset and is being rolled out at worrying speeds without clear law/policy safeguards. Not to mention, it is an Aadhaar-based ID registry, and will mirror privacy & surveillance concerns with Aadhaar. 7/8

2024-10-24 11:35:31 GMT

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On Aug 12, 2024, we received a partial response to the 2nd question of our RTI. In the reply, they mentioned that the copy of the NEP 2020 & all details pertaining to this policy are available on a website which… surprise surprise, only contained the NEP copy and nothing else.
It is now late Oct & we are still waiting for the specific doc that we had asked for. 🤔6/8

2024-10-24 11:34:54 GMT

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This simple RTI request has been transferred 30+ times in a cyclic manner between 4 departments within MoE & MeitY: DOSEL, DOHED, DITEC, & MELAB. Almost always in that order, with every dept ascribing it a new RTI number. 😵‍💫 5/8

2024-10-24 11:32:29 GMT

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In April 2024, we requested a specific policy document presented by MoE at the 3rd National Conference of Chief Secretaries as the APAAR policy document. This RTI request had only 2 straightforward questions. 4/8
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QGwHZbxb9A7tO_-s2i6zwOC7cNPgfzua/view?usp=sharing&ref=static.internetfreedom.in

2024-10-24 11:31:50 GMT

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While APAAR enrollment was underway across Indian schools, we noticed a glaring lack of guiding documents in the public domain & all directions issued under the project so far had been uploaded by schools/parents, & not by the nodal Ministries.
Thus we filed a host of RTI requests with MoE & MeitY over several months. 3/8

2024-10-24 11:31:13 GMT

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APAAR, an Aadhaar-based unique ID project for students, was initiated in July 2023 & declared a DPI earlier this year.
Voluntary on paper but mandatory in practice, states & UTs have passed directions to start enrolling students based on their Aadhaar & hold PTMs to seek parental consent. 2/8

2024-10-24 11:30:49 GMT

With APAAR ID enrollments happening at breakneck speed across Indian schools, we asked Education Ministry Of India & MeitY for the law/policy document grounding the process 5 months ago.
Their response? 😶‍🌫️This simple RTI request has been transferred 30+ times since. Read👇1/8
https://static.internetfreedom.in/dpis-in-the-shadows-apaar-student-id/

2024-10-21 07:14:54 GMT

In less than 6 hours, we will be at the Global Encryption Day Summit, 2024 for the panel on 'Courts at the Crossroads’.
Join us as we talk about about the state of #E2EE in South Asia in light of efforts by governments to undermine it, with a panel of digital rights experts from across South Asia.
Register Here:
https://events.zoom.us/ev/AoJeeIwDpZ1Kw6MtWuA6WUoxljX8rFSwSQa6yIAmsrz4z0YyR_HX~AgvFs7_VrDTYubhtf6cueTP7ILUnfVmUt4de2orTkYcRAyBxf-zN57qfrg
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/344/176/909/487/832/original/5ffe85e3b44b7cfa.jpg

2024-10-16 11:37:01 GMT

Delhi, any plans for Thursday?
Join us for: Seeing like a digital state, advocating like a citizen.
A conversation by Alternative Futures to examine the relationship between citizens & the ‘digital’ state in collaboration with QuickSand, [@info_activism](https://mastodon.cc/@info_activism ) & Goethe-Institut New Delhi 1/2
📅Thursday, 17 October | 6:30 PM IST
🔗https://survey.goethe.de/index.php/234489
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/316/896/055/823/236/original/e7ceea8464ccf005.jpg

2024-10-10 10:16:53 GMT

💸 Financial Disclosure September 2024💸
One of the many accountability measures we prioritise is financial transparency.
This month, we received Rs. 24,39,170.61, with Rs.11,74,990.20 from one-time donors & Rs. 5,12,354.38 from members like YOU! 👯1/5

2024-10-08 11:59:47 GMT

We launched our 2nd Annual Membership Drive to add 300 new IFF members, who can donate to us every month & join us in the fight for our digital rights.
We have reached the end of the membership drive & we are so grateful for 183 people who signed up! ⅕
https://internetfreedom.in/annual-membership-drive-2024/

2024-10-01 07:39:33 GMT

hello hello Kochi! 📢📢
IFF, Tinker Space &
[@info_activism](https://mastodon.cc/@info_activism ) are glad to announce that "The Glass Room: Misinformation Edition" is coming to Kochi!
Opening this Saturday, October 5th!
See you there? 1/5
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/231/003/836/034/185/original/5c74101760f327a1.jpeg

2024-10-01 04:49:47 GMT

Our faces are not data points!
In light of various government departments enforcing Aadhaar biometric & facial recognition-enabled attendance systems across the country, we wrote National Medical Commission, India, Transport Department (Govt. of NCT of Delhi), and Directorate of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi outlining glaring privacy harms. 1/7
https://internetfreedom.in/privacy-marked-absent/

2024-09-30 11:41:02 GMT

In a Big Win for Free Speech, Bombay HC struck down the fact-checking amendment to the #ITRules as “unconstitutional”! IFF provided legal assistance to one of the Petitioners in the matter.
We hope this is one of many Ws for our digital rights! 🧵1/10
https://internetfreedom.in/it-amendment-rules-2023-struck-down/

2024-09-20 12:54:20 GMT

Big win for free speech!
Justice Chandurkar, agreeing with the opinion of Justice Patel, has found the IT Rules 2023 amendments unconstitutional, citing violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) & (g), and 21.
The 2023 fact-checking amendments to the IT Rules struck down!
#ITRules2023 1/5
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/169/979/127/095/486/original/53c41e2d0a37a321.jpeg

2024-09-10 08:47:02 GMT

Bangalore!📢
Calling all the quizzers, trivia heads, tech nerds & policy wonks. We are thrilled to present IFF's first pub quiz!! 💖
📅 Sept 14 | 7 PM
📍Underline Center, Indiranagar, Bangalore!
Join us for an evening of fun, trivia & great company! Book your tickets👇
https://pages.razorpay.com/iff-quiz
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/112/384/720/437/623/original/9b3485d0c8b0099a.png

2024-09-03 13:22:01 GMT

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With 116 internet shutdowns in 2023 alone, India has led the world in the number of shutdowns enacted for 6 consecutive years.
Despite the urgent need for reform, the Telecom Act, 2023 continues to hang on to the colonial provisions of its 1885 predecessor, which it purportedly aims to overhaul. 2/8 #KeepItOn
https://internetfreedom.in/the-telecom-act-2023-partial-notification/

2024-09-03 13:21:38 GMT

🚨#KeepUsOnline
The DoT recently released 4 new draft rules including the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024. Suggestions/Objections are invited for 30 days - here are our two cents. 1/8
https://internetfreedom.in/telecom-suspension-rules-2024-analysis/

2024-08-30 13:55:01 GMT

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We have been following the Broadcasting Bill Saga very closely & know that this can seem overwhelming.
But worry not, we have summarised all the unceasing, confusing, & concerning developments around it since late July 2024 for YOU. 8/8 #KillTheBill
https://internetfreedom.in/a-broadcasting-summary/

2024-08-30 13:54:44 GMT

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While the Ministry’s responses are disappointingly evasive & actively avoid pertinent questions about the 2023 & 2024 versions of the Broadcasting Bill, we will not cease our efforts to hold the MInistry accountable & demand transparency from them. 7/8

2024-08-30 13:54:35 GMT

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3️⃣ To our questions regarding making the *revised* version of the Bill publicly available & opening it to public input, MIB shared that the consultation timeline for the 2023 Bill⁉ has been extended till Oct 15, 2024. 6/8
https://x.com/MIB_India/status/1823028351935672507

2024-08-30 13:54:13 GMT

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Our requests for ‘minutes of the meeting’ & a physical inspection were denied as the Ministry claims to have not maintained the minutes/ documents. Further, in response, MIB shared a screenshot of MIB’s post on X dated Aug 12, 2024.
We’re as confused as you 😭 5/8
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/051/307/373/055/798/original/6d8f870d75c08ef3.png

2024-08-30 13:53:47 GMT

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2️⃣ MIB shared a non-exhaustive (😒) list of stakeholders (IBDF, NBDA, IAMAI, AIDCF,Tata Play, Bharatiya Airtel, Meta, Google Netflix) with whom they met on June 14 & 21 & July 9, 2024.
Past reports state that MIB held closed-door meetings on May 29, June 14, June 18, & July 9. 4/8
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/confusion-persists-over-digital-news-content-in-proposed-broadcasting-bill-101720725258677.html

2024-08-30 13:51:46 GMT

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🚨🚨 MIB failed to acknowledge the 2024 versions despite reports about its secret circulation. 🫠🫠 3/8
Link to the RTI response: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ou-cHN6viDii6Yu_mguhd5heVwSLmhY-/edit

2024-08-30 13:51:28 GMT

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1️⃣Will the real Broadcasting Bill please stand up!
We asked MIB about the status of the Bill as of late July 2024, in response to which they referred to the 2023 versions & shared that it is currently in the ‘drafting stage’. 2/8
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P15dYFaXbSBEE2GTpCMmEa8gXZmz04Eu/view

2024-08-30 13:51:07 GMT

So, MIB responded to our RTI request – & we’re very confused ⁉
We sought basic information about the status of the #BroadcastingBill, private meetings held by MIB, & their plans to open the revised Bill for public consultation, among others.
Here’s what they said 🧵1/8
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/051/292/619/208/489/original/b760c72807446c98.png
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/051/293/298/369/116/original/62315bd16533ca54.jpg
https://media.mas.to/media_attachments/files/113/051/294/406/846/523/original/4c9d058d6ac906b7.png

2024-08-28 13:52:39 GMT

Money, Money, so not funny 🥴
Get clamped down on your right to free expression & pay penalties on top of it? Digital creators, pay attention—we've compiled a helpful cheat sheet on the penalties under the Broadcasting Bill, 2023 specifically for you 🫠🧵1/9
https://internetfreedom.in/penalties-broadcasting-bill-2023/

2024-08-12 13:02:16 GMT

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🚨 Economic Times also reports that the 2024 Bill is being “withdrawn” and that the Ministry is asking for copies of the 2024 Bill “without any feedback”. #KillTheBill #ContentBachao 3/n
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/centre-likely-to-withdraw-and-revise-draft-broadcasting-services-bill-sources/articleshow/112469214.cms

2024-08-12 13:01:09 GMT

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Several of these privileged stakeholders reportedly received calls from MIB on August 12 asking them to return the copies of the 2024 Bill, that were shared with them exclusively after several closed door meetings. 2/n

2024-07-08 11:50:21 GMT

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Currently, no specific law or policy governs DPIs in India or provides baseline safeguards, & there is a lack of human rights impact analysis. This knowledge gap, alongside the rapid deployment of DPI projects, is concerning. 4/5

2024-07-08 11:50:10 GMT

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DPIs in India are built on public-private partnerships & deployed in the public sector for maximum population cover. This may benefit both parties such that they can evade accountability & transparency as well as benefit from exemptions for govt under laws, which spells trouble for citizen data. 3/5

2024-07-08 11:49:59 GMT

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DPI this, DPI that. What is DPI?
Global discussion on DPIs lacks perspectives from the Indian public regarding their manner of roll-out without safeguards, vagueness in definitions, & blurry accountability mechanisms. Indian govt. So far has preferred a wide definition (if any) of what constitutes a DPI. 2/5

2024-07-08 11:49:46 GMT

IFF submitted feedback on UNDP’s Interim Report ‘Leveraging DPI for Safe and Inclusive Societies.’
The report addresses risks tied to DPIs, proposes mitigation strategies, and explores their use for digital inclusion, good governance, and meeting SDGs. 1/5
https://internetfreedom.in/iff-feedback-undp-report-on-dpi/