News for 'Protect Internet Freedom'

Cockroach Janata Party swings into action, demands Modi Minister's resignation

Cockroach Janata Party swings into action, demands Modi Minister's resignation

Rediff.com1 days ago

The CJP's rapid rise on social media reflects growing digital dissent and youth frustration with issues like unemployment and exam-paper leaks.

HC passes order protecting Jaggi Vasudev's personality rights

HC passes order protecting Jaggi Vasudev's personality rights

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

It said Sadhguru has acquired uniqueness pertaining to his personality qua his voice, name, signature, image, likeness, vocal, articulation style and his unique attire, looks or appearance.

How Much Internet Shutdowns Cost India

How Much Internet Shutdowns Cost India

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

India has incurred the third highest losses globally due to Internet shutdowns in 2023.

Bihar Electoral Tsunami No One Saw Coming

Bihar Electoral Tsunami No One Saw Coming

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

'Are elections still fair in India, or are we all witness to a macabre style of 'selection' of lawmakers? The jury will be out on this for a long time because there is no definitive evidence on either contention, at least as yet,' notes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

Personal Data Protection

Personal Data Protection

Rediff.com28 Aug 2023

Ajit Balakrishnan offers a thinking person's guide.

Takedown Orders: X Takes On Govt

Takedown Orders: X Takes On Govt

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

X calls the home ministry's Sahyog portal a 'censorship portal', stating it usurps judicial functions.

Watching YOU: AI Surveillance At Railway Stations

Watching YOU: AI Surveillance At Railway Stations

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Railways ramps up project to instal AI-based cameras that can recognise faces.

Publish internet curb review orders, SC tells J-K

Publish internet curb review orders, SC tells J-K

Rediff.com30 Jan 2024

The bench was hearing an application filed by the Foundation for Media Professionals seeking the publication of the review orders passed by a special committee headed by the Union Home secretary on internet restrictions in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Inside India's new Digital Personal Data Protection framework

Inside India's new Digital Personal Data Protection framework

Rediff.com13 Aug 2023

A new law that defines how companies should process users' data came into force with the President giving assent to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act passed by Parliament in the just-concluded monsoon session. The law arms individuals with greater control over their data while allowing companies to transfer users' data abroad for processing, except to nations and territories restricted by the Centre through notification. It also gives the government power to seek information from firms and issue directions to block content.

India questions US dominance over critical internet resources

India questions US dominance over critical internet resources

Rediff.com17 Oct 2013

India on Thursday expressed reservations over control of crit ical internet resources like allocation of domain names by a US contracted entity, saying this cannot really be reflective of the international character or community of internet users.

US regulator rollbacks net neutrality rules that protect open internet

US regulator rollbacks net neutrality rules that protect open internet

Rediff.com15 Dec 2017

The critics say the move is against the interest of the consumers and favours big corporate companies.

Month-long internet ban in Manipur: SC refuses urgent hearing

Month-long internet ban in Manipur: SC refuses urgent hearing

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

A vacation bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal said the high court is already seized of a similar issue.

New Toll Data Collection Tool A Privacy Risk?

New Toll Data Collection Tool A Privacy Risk?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

The implementation of this toll collection system, which will eventually eradicate toll booths, necessitates the fitting of an on-board unit (OBU) in every vehicle that can track a vehicle's location in real time.

Disappointed but will not give up: Zuckerberg

Disappointed but will not give up: Zuckerberg

Rediff.com9 Feb 2016

More than 19 million people in 38 countries have been connected through Facebook's different programmes.

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is examining the existing statutory provisions and the need for a new legal framework to regulate 'harmful' content amid complaints of 'obscenity and violence' being shown on digital platforms.

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

At G7, India pledges to protect free speech

Rediff.com28 Jun 2022

Leaders of the powerful G7 grouping and its five partner countries, including India, have said that they are committed to open public debate and the free flow of information online and offline while guarding the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society actors.

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Govt hopes to pass new data protection law by Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Data protection bill: Govt hopes to pass new law by next Budget session

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

After withdrawing the personal data protection bill, the government is hopeful of getting a new legislation passed by the next Budget session of Parliament, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said. The government on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Lok Sabha. The Joint Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, headed by BJP member P P Chaudhary, had tabled its report in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2021.

US, allies launch declaration for future of Internet, invite India to join

US, allies launch declaration for future of Internet, invite India to join

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

The Declaration for the Future of the Internet is in part a response to a rising trend of digital authoritarianism, including Russia's actions to block credible news sites

WB concerned over Facebook's model of free internet

WB concerned over Facebook's model of free internet

Rediff.com14 Jan 2016

An open and free internet is a key contributing factor to innovation in the digital economy.

Interim govt is taking over: Bangladesh Army chief

Interim govt is taking over: Bangladesh Army chief

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

"I'm taking all responsibility (of the country). Please cooperate," he said in a televised address amid reports that Hasina has left the country.

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

India experienced major human rights issues in 2022: US report

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Released by secretary of state Antony Blinken, the annual human rights reports of the state department is a mandatory requirement of the US Congress giving details of human rights status in countries across the world.

Internet constitutional right, says SC; orders review of all J-K curbs

Internet constitutional right, says SC; orders review of all J-K curbs

Rediff.com10 Jan 2020

The top court pronounced the verdict on a number of petitions challenging the restrictions and internet blockade imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year. The court heard the petitions filed by various petitioners including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin.

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff's Wave Rider Retires!

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

We asked colleagues, present and past, to reflect on a man who has made such a difference to their lives and careers. Here it is then, a rich collection of memories that offer enchanting glimpses of the enigmatic Ajit Balakrishnan.

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Nearly 650 people killed in Bangladesh violence: UN report

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Nearly 650 people have been killed in the recent unrest in Bangladesh between July 16 and August 11, the United Nations Human Rights Office has said in a preliminary report, suggesting a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions.

Most of those arrested under IT Act between 18 and 30

Most of those arrested under IT Act between 18 and 30

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

Women are a minuscule minority of those arrested under the IT Act.

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Ek Hasina Thi: End Of An Era In Bangladesh

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

As news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds broke into Hasina's residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that have killed more than 100 people in the last two days. At the centre of people anger is the Hasina government's controversial quota system reserving 30 per cent jobs for families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war. With volatile crowds taking to the streets -- some clambering on Hasina's father and Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statue and smashing it with hammers in a lasting image underscoring the fickleness of history -- Army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister has resigned.

Guj HC lifts stay on release of Aamir Khan's son's debut film 'Maharaj'

Guj HC lifts stay on release of Aamir Khan's son's debut film 'Maharaj'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The film has nothing objectionable or derogatory, the court said after watching it, and allowed its release on streaming platform Netflix.

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Officials 'intimidated' Indian journalists critical of govt: US report

Rediff.com13 Apr 2022

India in the past rejected similar reports.

Modi's New Target: Digital Media

Modi's New Target: Digital Media

Rediff.com18 Apr 2023

Particularly the small and independent Web sites that have developed a following in the recent past because the mainstream is seen as totally aligned with the government, points out Aakar Patel.

Blocking apps: Acid test for India's cyber laws

Blocking apps: Acid test for India's cyber laws

Rediff.com14 Jul 2020

The advent of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, and the increasing use of Internet of Things devices throw techno-legal challenges regarding privacy and security. Experts say, any expansion of power to the government to block web-services is detrimental to the interests of users, innovation, and India's larger technology ecosystem. The move to block the mobile apps is likely to have a lasting impact on the data security and privacy framework.

Data protection bill allows scribes to collect personal info

Data protection bill allows scribes to collect personal info

Rediff.com31 Jul 2018

Journalists will be exempted from seeking consent of individuals before collecting and reviewing their personal data to be used in news reports.

No reply yet from Apple on hacking alert to politicos: MoS

No reply yet from Apple on hacking alert to politicos: MoS

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the government has asked Apple two questions: whether their devices are safe, and if so the reason for the alert was sent to the Opposition members.

Publicise undertaking given to govt in 2021: SC to WhatsApp on privacy policy

Publicise undertaking given to govt in 2021: SC to WhatsApp on privacy policy

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice KM Joseph asked the mobile messaging app to give advertisement in five newspapers to publicise its undertaking given to the government.

'No protection from jokes': Comic Kunal Kamra defends his tweets in SC

'No protection from jokes': Comic Kunal Kamra defends his tweets in SC

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

'If this court believes I have crossed a line and wants to shut down my internet indefinitely, then I too will write Happy Independence Day post cards every 15th August, just like my Kashmiri friends'

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

In a first of its kind move, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticket booking arm of the Indian Railways, is looking to monetise its bank of passenger data while conducting business with private and government companies. IRCTC has a large bank of data related to every online railway ticket ever generated as it is the country's only railway ticketing platform, an IRCTC official told Business Standard. The public sector undertaking, which has sought the services of a consultant to assist with the monetisation process, plans to raise Rs 1,000 crore through this exercise.

TRAI bars differential tariff for Internet access

TRAI bars differential tariff for Internet access

Rediff.com8 Feb 2016

TRAI said that Internet service providers would not be allowed to discriminate on pricing of data access for different web services.

Google begins reinstating Indian apps after govt intervention

Google begins reinstating Indian apps after govt intervention

Rediff.com6 Mar 2024

Google on Tuesday began reinstating about 250 Indian apps it had delisted from its Play Store over a billing dispute as it caved in to government criticism, but the squabble may not yet be over.

India-Taiwan-US Unite To Counter China's Cyber Threats

India-Taiwan-US Unite To Counter China's Cyber Threats

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

Three countries share a common interest in warding off cyber attacks from various agencies PLA is developing and training in China.

Google's 'castle and moat' strategy is data hegemony: CCI

Google's 'castle and moat' strategy is data hegemony: CCI

Rediff.com16 Mar 2023

Fair trade regulator CCI on Thursday alleged that Google has created a digital data hegemony and called for a market space with "free, fair and open competition". Concluding the arguments of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) before the appellate tribunal NCLAT in the Google matter, Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman said a market with greater freedom for all players would be in total sync with principles of free competition rather than the 'walled garden' approach of the internet major. On October 20 last year, the CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices.