The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is released its manifesto yesterday, the party is vocal about keeping Aadhaar out of welfare services, capping FDI in retail and calls for regulation of e-commerce. It makes a mention the need for data protection laws without going into much detail. It seeks strengthening state-owned (and debt ridden) telecom companies MTNL and BSNL. On the whole, it makes a slew of promises and statement in the interest of citizens such as against surveillance, social security for unorganized sector labourers, rural internet connectivity, and more. Some key points from their 2019 election manifesto: 1. Internet governance and regulation Taking Internet governance out of US control to an appropriate international body Promoting a people-centric internet which builds in social justice and free from control of global corporations Promoting a global internet regime that protects the right to privacy and does not allow mass surveillance by either governments. 2. Privacy & Surveillance Issues Enact data privacy laws that protect the people against appropriation/misuse of users private data for commercial use Stop bulk surveillance by state agencies under Section 69 introduced earlier this year. There should be clear provisions and judicial supervision of any surveillance that violates citizens privacy. Enact data privacy laws that protect the people against appropriation/misuse of users private data for commercial use. Curb monopolies that use either telecom such as Jio/Airtel/Vodafone or internet service platforms such as Google, Facebook, etc. 3. Aadhaar Scrapping the use of Aadhaar and biometrics for all social welfare measures.…
