[Off Topic] :Indian government can switch off your internet if necessary

[arun singh]

*Indian government can switch off your internet if necessary*


 Complete control and the right to shut down cyber traffic during sensitive
situations is still a very debatable topic among the western nations. But
the Indian government, keeping all debates aside has ventured in full-speed
to acquire the right of 'killing your internet' whenever required and has
incorporated a provision under the IT Act of 2008.

While the western countries are yet mulling over their jurisdication of
complete control debating the The Indian government has armed itself with
powers to 'switch off' or kill the internet during times of national
emergencies, becoming one of the first few countries to assume such far
reaching authority.
Even as the US and other western nations debate the judiciousness of giving
the government's complete control to shut down cyber traffic, India has
moved a step ahead and incorporated a provision under the IT Act of 2008,
giving the Central government, or any of its officers specially authorised
by it, to block the internet if necessary. The shutdown can happen in the
interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, its defense, security of its
states, friendly relations with foreign states or for public order. Failure
to comply will result in imprisonment of up to seven years.

The implications of this move are immense as it gives the government
overriding powers over a fast-growing and widely used resource, and one that
is becoming increasingly crucial in conducting commerce and social
interaction. The country has about 70 million internet users ? a figure
growing at about 25% every year. 'Where the Central government or any of its
officer specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is
necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of sovereignty and integrity
of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with
foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the
commission of any cognisable offence relating to above, it may subject to
the provisions of sub-sections (2) for reasons to be recorded in writing, by
order direct any agency of the government or intermediary to block access by
the public or cause to be blocked for access by public any information
generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer
resource,' 69A of the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008 says.

The amendment was pushed through in the weeks following the 26/11 attacks in
Mumbai. Supporters of an internet 'kill switch' ? as it is being popularly
called ? say it will enable countries to prevent the spread of rumours and
false information during times of national crisis and help coordinate a
coherent response without any sign of public panic. But it can also be
misused by governments to shut down legitimate protests and exercise illegal
power in the face of public opposition. The governments in the North Africa
and the Middle East have been resorting to this tactic during the violent
protests triggered in January this year against despotic rule.

The plan has drawn predictable ire from bloggers, activists and lawyers but
the government also has its supporters. 'If it's in national security's
interest, switching off the internet for a short period is not unwelcome,'
says Amrita Chaudhary, director at Cyber Cafe Association of India. 'It is
not a bad idea to switch off the internet for security reasons. But we
should distinguish between national security and privacy,' Naresh Ajwani,
secretary at Internet Service Providers of India, said. Not satisfied with
this provision, India is now moving ahead to develop alternate plans in case
the 'switch' does not work. The draft plan by the Cabinet Committee on
Security and Ministry of Home Affairs along with Ministry of IT &
Communications to 'choke' the internet at will, which ET reported last year,
is also learnt to be in its final stages.

Source : ET

--
Regards
Arun
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