India has made it to the Enemies of the Internet report published by Reporters Without Borders for the first time, along with US, UK and Russia. In 2012, the group had included India in the list of “under surveillance” countries, that were just a step away from the ‘Enemies of the internet’ list. India has been criticised in the past for not protecting freedom of speech in Kashmir, North East in various rural areas. However, this is the first time the country's Internet policies have been deemed to be a threat to the Internet. The group points out that India has draconian IT laws that allows collection of personal data by the government. Some provisions of the law give the authorities a free hand to mount major surveillance operations against users of the web and other telecommunication technology: - Section 44 authorizes heavy financial penalties against any individual who refuses to provide “any document, return or report” to the government. - Section 66A provides for up to three years in prison for posting “grossly offensive” or “menacing” messages online. The use of vague definitions allows great latitude for officials who are targeting web users, effectively authorizing arbitrary practices. - Section 69 authorizes the interception of any information transmitted by computer. Likewise, any person who refuses to decrypt his private information upon official request faces up to seven years in prison. - Section 80 authorizes the arrest of suspects even without an arrest warrant. [caption id="attachment_108781" align="aligncenter" width="545"] Click to view the full graphic…
