With Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the government could use the new surveillance order to curb dissent and control the political narrative
The last time intelligence and law enforcement agencies wanted to intercept calls and internet data of a suspect for purposes of national security, they obtained permission from Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba. Armed with the government order, the agencies asked telecom and internet service providers to release relevant data. But, what they got were sets of long, jumbled characters, which they could not decrypt.
Most of the networks use Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6), which is an advanced version of IPv4, and the intelligence machinery does not have the ability to decrypt it. Intelligence agencies have not been able to compel telecom and internet service providers and online networks like Google, Twitter and WhatsApp to provide decrypted data. The December 20 order of the Union home ministry has, however, made it mandatory for all such service providers and intermediaries to give decrypted information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource to ten government agencies authorised by the government for lawful interception.
These agencies are the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, National Investigation Agency, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (for service areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast) and the Delhi Police commissioner. In the states, similar powers are available to state law enforcement agencies after approval by the competent authority, which is the state home secretary.
This story is from the January 06, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 06, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Between hospital and home
Transitional care centres can add a lot to India's health care system
EFFORT VS EFFECT
The government's attempts to ensure quality drugs is evident, but how well new policies can be monitored on the ground remains to be seen
A way to let go of fear
Accepting the use of adult diapers is a journey with various stages-denial, concealment, rejection and reluctance
Mandeeps & a miracle
Two strangers, one deadly disease and an act of kindness. How Mandeep Mann saved Mandeep Singh, an acute leukaemia patient, by donating his stem cells
The A, B, C of cosmetic surgery
Between eight to 10 lakh cosmetic surgeries happen in India every year. Who is an ideal candidate, and what are the risks and results you can expect?
Vaccines and meningitis
In sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and encompassing the northern part of Nigeria, there exists a region known as the African Meningitis Belt (AMB).
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity
As Indians battle it out in our nation's 18th general election, it is again time for voters to reflect on the \"Idea of India\"-or rather, on two duelling ideas of India that are now before us and between which the nation must choose at the ballot box.
Defendant: an Hermès handbag
When Hermès was hit with a class-action lawsuit last month for \"antitrust\" activities, it didn't see it coming. Most of the luxury world has all eyes on this suit, filed by two interested consumers who claim they were denied a purchase, and whether it would go to trial.
A legacy, bound
Amal Allana's biography of her father, Ebrahim Alkazi, is as much personal as it is historical
Cutting-edge chronicle
In his new book, Salman Rushdie's pen is mightier than the knife
