Discussion

• @christinmp_ ChristinMathewPhilip on x

  🚨 Breaking on @moneycontrolcom MC Exclusive | Meta is concerned that Indian govt could regulate internet apps with proposed telecom law @deepsekharc & @AihikS ✍️ https://www.moneycontrol.com/ ...

• @chandrarsrikant Chandra R. Srikanth on x

  🚨🚨 Scoop: We've accessed an internal email where Meta has expressed concerns on India's new proposed telecom law Meta is concerned that Indian govt could regulate internet apps with proposed telecom law It is concerned that over the top (OTT) applications, for instance...

• @goenka_tushar1 Tushar Goenka on x

  Meta is concerned that OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal, can come under the regulatory ambit of a proposed law that gives the Indian government sweeping powers over telecom companies. @deepsekharc and @AihikS access the internal letter https://www.moneycontrol.com/ ...

• @chandrarsrikant Chandra R. Srikanth on x

  “Arguably, even after the removal of OTTs from these definitions, the Govt could have sufficient discretion to designate OTTs as a telecommunications service, and bring them under an authorisation regime, in case it chooses to do so via delegated legislation at a future date,”...

• @aparatbar Apar on threads

  Are we one step closer to a surveillance state?  The Telecom Bill, 2023 grants the government sweeping powers over OTT applications, encryption, surveillance, & internet shutdowns.  Discover it's dangerous implications in my latest video at Amaltas Talks. https://www.youtube.com/…

• @quillsandpills Sidharth on threads

  ✍️ My latest piece on concerns around the telecom bill's impact on India tech.  Probably a bit alarmist, but writing this as someone who works with a lot of sensitive user data.  Would love your thoughts, especially contradictory ones.

• @thesouthfirst @thesouthfirst on threads

  #TelecomBill, 2023: Gambling with the future of India's tech sector 2023 might just end up being remembered as the year the Indian government crippled the future of the Indian tech sector https://thesouthfirst.com/...

• @scroll_in @scroll_in on threads

  Lok Sabha passes #TelecomBill that allows Centre to take control of services The bill also provides for the interception of messages and their transmission to be stopped in case of a public emergency.  Read more ⬇️ https://scroll.in/...

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  Historically, laws governing telecom services are (mis)used to surveil devices & carry out internet suspensions. 🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️ Simply replicating provisions from the 1885 law, the Telecom Bill of 2023 may also expand surveillance & suspension powers to online communication services,..…

• @nixxin Nikhil Pahwa on x

  UPDATE: The Telecom Bill is how, and it's a pro-telco, ANTI-INTERNET Bill. I'll explain how: 1. Covers all online services: Read these 3 definitions (message, telecom service, telecom), and because of how messaging is defined, apply it to email, cloud, SAAS, streaming etc 10/n [i…

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  @signalapp ... 🤦 Far, far from being “anti-colonial,” the bill misses an opportunity for reform. We're in 2023, but we're still hanging on to our 1885 draconian legacy bill that makes no sense rights-centric. 8/9

• @nixxin Nikhil Pahwa on x

  Payments and fintech is always a lead indicator. You look at how payment aggregators were brought under a license, when they're just tech platforms. Then read the first and second paras of this: https://www.medianama.com/...

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  @signalapp ... Ctrl + more Ctrl. 🛂🛂 The bill grants the Union govt broad powers to suspend, intercept, detain telecommunication services. New provisions like Clause 43 confer quasi-judicial powers for search & seizure of digital devices. 7/9

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  @signalapp ... The bill was passed without an amendment explicitly excluding internet services from its ambit, despite several MPs seeking clarification from the Union Minister around this. 4/9

• @digipubindia @digipubindia on x

  “You will now have a complete ban on all communication, that is a grave worry”, Shreya Singhal adds. #DigitalDialogues #TelecomBill2023 [video]

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  @signalapp ... More privacy? Uh, no. More penalties instead 👎 Falling short on ensuring user privacy, the bill introduces privacy-invading provisions, with potential consequences for end-to-end encryption & user anonymity, failure to comply with which will lead to imposition of h…

• @nixxin Nikhil Pahwa on x

  So Economic Times has a story citing an unnamed govt official saying this (screenshot). A few things: 1. This is probably the minister but he doesn't want to be named. Even if it isn't, it's not official, so means nothing. https://telecom.economictimes.indiatime s.com/ ... + [ima…

• @digipubindia @digipubindia on x

  “If I was on the OTT regulation panel, I would not be concerned about the content, I would wonder why are you in this country still? In our country you just need to catch someone, anyone. The actual law is thus becomes irrelevant.”, says Alok Prasanna at #DigitalDialogues [image]

• @bsindia @bsindia on x

  #BSMorningShow | Govt is rewriting India's #telecom laws. The Bill text doesn't have #OTT in the definition of telecom services, but the way it defines telecommunication leaves the possibility of its later inclusion @maheshuppal @ComFirstIndia @GuhaDeepro https://www.youtube.com/…

• @digipubindia @digipubindia on x

  “You are now guilty until proven innocent”, says Shreya Singhal in our discussion about the #TelecomBill2023 at #DigitalDialogues [image]

• @nixxin Nikhil Pahwa on x

  2. This statement means zilch against what the bill says which is that messaging definition includes everything. (Read this thread) Wording of the law > unnamed govt official comments 3. Find me a lawyer who will say that the bill doesn't cover online. This is just deflection

• @moneycontrolcom @moneycontrolcom on x

  #NewsAlert 🚨According to an internal email, Meta has expressed concerns on India's new proposed telecom law Meta is concerned that Indian govt could regulate internet apps with proposed telecom law #Meta #India #Internet #Apps #TelecomLaw [image]

• @digipubindia @digipubindia on x

  @apar1984 “The architecture of safeguards against those surveilled are also lacking, where you can only file a complaint against the police officer and a following departmental enquiry”, @apar1984 adds. #TelecomBill2023 #DigitalDialogues [image]

• @digitaldutta Srinivas Kodali on x

  You can't have privacy without a law that limits surveillance. In India we have been passing a new surveillance law every parliament session. If you want change, stop looking at #TelecomBill as a isolated bill.

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  For starters, the definitional ambiguity in the bill leaves us worried about its application to internet services (such as @signalapp, @Skype, @gmail, & @WhatsApp), impacting fundamental rights to privacy, freedom of expression, & the right to receive information. 3/n

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  @signalapp ... ⏪ a quick rewind The Telecom Bill of 2022 was released for public consultation on September 21, 2022. Interestingly, @DoT_India refused to disclose comments received on the Telecom Bill of 2022. The absence of such disclosures make the reasoning/inspiration behind …

• @internetfreedom @internetfreedom on x

  🚨🚨 The Telecom Bill 2023, has been passed in Lok Sabha, despite suspension of approx 100 opposition MPs in the LS. 👇 A repackaged version of the colonial past, the Bill tends to retain draconian surveillance & internet suspension powers. 1/n 👇👇 https://internetfreedom.in/...

• @digipubindia @digipubindia on x

  Speaking about the #TelecomBill2023, @apar1984 says “The department of telecommunications still refuses to make a centralised repository of internet shutdowns, thereby reducing transparency. We are completely ignoring the central core of telecommunication rules that are required”…