Hi,

I propose that we object to the new IT rules by publishing our statement on our website.

Please send your comments/suggestions on the draft. Last date to comment: 22 March 2021.

Here is the draft:

Pad: https://pad.disroot.org/p/draftfsf

Title: India's new rules under IT act are a threat to online freedom

Indian government has [announced new rules]http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2021/225464.pdf for the regulation of social media, which will significantly increase the level of surveillance and censorship in the country.

The detailed analysis of these rules by Internet Freedom Foundation is here https://internetfreedom.in/intermediaries-rules-2021/ and SFLC's analysis can be read here https://sflc.in/analysis-information-technology-intermediary-guidelines-and-... .

Social media intermediaries(even free software ones) will most likely remove end-to-end encryption to comply with these laws.

The rules threaten the freedom of speech, privacy, security and freedom of all citizens of India. These rules will most likely be used to punish dissent, activists and discourage whistleblowers as the current government is known for https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/18/disha-ravi-the-climate-activist-who-became-the-face-of-indias-crackdown-on-dissent . We strongly oppose these laws because they give government too much power and take away freedom of the online users.

Technical Solutions

- Use decentralized services which are based outside India.

- Use Tor or VPN to access if any of these services are blocked in India.

- Use peer-to-peer systems like GNU Jami, Briar for communications.

The problem is not technical but political in nature. So these steps can be used as short-term solutions.

The long term solution is that the government be accountable to public and respect their rights rather than look ways to crush dissenting views and take away the citizen's freedom.

Further Reading:

Software Freedom Law Centre analysis https://sflc.in/analysis-information-technology-intermediary-guidelines-and-...

Internet Freedom Foundation's report https://internetfreedom.in/constitutional-questions-against-unconstitutional...

A wolf in watchdog’s clothing: On government’s move to regulate digital media https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-wolf-in-watchdogs-clothing-the-...