September 5, 2014, New Delhi : We at SFLC.in have noticed various posts on social media that state that the numbers of telephone tapping requests that we have revealed in our report titled “India’s Surveillance State” relates to the current Government. We would like to clarify that the report is based on replies to requests filed under the RTI Act that we have received for the period when the previous UPA Government was in power, with the latest reply dated May 12, 2014.
The applications and the responses have been uploaded on our website at http://sflc.in/information-received-under-rti-for-surveillance/
The objective behind the report is to show the issues with the current legal framework on surveillance and the need to have a legislation to protect the right to privacy of citizens. The emphasis is also on the need to have a legislative framework for data collection and protection to protect citizens from infringements of right to privacy by private corporations.
As stated in our press release issued at the time of release of the report, we appreciate the efforts taken by the current Government to prevent mass surveillance, especially the statement of Ms.Sushma Swaraj, the Hon’ble Minister for External Affairs, who stated in unequivocal terms that the surveillance of Indian citizens by US intelligence agencies is not acceptable.
We look forward to working together with the current Government on a privacy and data protection legislation for the country that will protect the privacy rights of citizens, especially against data misuse by corporations.
About SFLC.in :
SFLC.IN is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.IN promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption of technology.
Contact : Mamta Varma, mamta@softwarefreedom.in, +91-11-43587126
