The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday allowed 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in computer across the nation, a moved that draw sharp criticism.
As per the new Order issued by MHA, The Service Provider, or the Subscriber or any person in charge of the Computer resource will be bound to provide all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies and failing to do will invite seven years of imprisonment and fine.
Those 10 Central Agencies who are allowed are – Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police.
The Home Ministry has given the authorization to these agencies under 69(A) of Information Technology Act, 2000, that reads that Central Government can direct any agency after it is satisfied that is necessary to do in the interest of the Sovereignty and Integrity of India.
The move drew sharp criticism with opposition alleged was aimed at Surveillance. The Opposition leaders racked up Modi Government for the Move!
From Modi Sarkar to stalker sarkar, clearly the string of losses has left the BJP government desperate for information,” said Congress Official Twitter Handle.
From Modi Sarkar to Stalker Sarkar, clearly the string of losses has left the BJP govt. desperate for information. https://t.co/1Q004d66bu
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 21, 2018
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to criticize the order.
I have come to know that Union Home Ministry has issued an order yesterday authorising 10 Central Agencies to carry out interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 21, 2018
National Conference Working President Omar Abdullah also criticizes the move and tweeted
Given that the government has now authorised multiple agencies to snoop on the personal & official computers of the Hon’ble judges of the Supreme Court I hope the SC takes a long hard look at the legality of the order. #surveillancestate #emergency2pointzero.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 21, 2018
Senior Lawyer Indira Jai Singh wrote :
This is a gross violation of Supreme Court judgements including Shreya Singhal .This is void for vagueness since the expression "any information" could cover anything from our facebook profiles to our whatsapp messages ,to twetter ,it is being challenged as surveillance https://t.co/RJYFqBvzmB
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) December 21, 2018
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also voiced his opposition on Twitter.
Why is every Indian being treated like a criminal? This order by a govt wanting to snoop on every citizen is unconstitutional and in breach of the telephone tapping guidelines, the Privacy Judgement and the Aadhaar judgement. https://t.co/vJXs6aycP0
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) December 21, 2018