Order on surveillance meant to protect privacy, govt. tells SC

Order on surveillance meant to protect privacy, govt. tells SC

1. The Central government in its affidavit has told the Supreme Court that its notification allowing 10 central agencies to monitor on people is in fact a measure (a)to protect citizens’ privacy (b)to ensure that only authorised agencies have access to data and (c)to ensure that surveillance is carried out as per law.
2. The government had authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer in the country.
3. These agencies include (a)Intelligence Bureau (b)Narcotics Control Bureau (c)Enforcement Directorate (d)Central Board of Direct Taxes, (e)Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (f)Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) (g))National Investigation Agency(NIA) (h)Cabinet Secretariat(R&AW)(I)Directorate of Signal Intelligence and (j)Commissioner of Police, Delhi.
4. The order was facilitated under sub-section 1 of the section 69 of the IT Act, read with rule 4 of the Information Technology Rules, 2009.The IT Act allows the authorities to decrypt information if it is in the interest of (a)sovereignty or integrity of India (b)The security of the State (c)Friendly relations with foreign States (d)Public order (e)Preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence.
5. The IT rules states that a competent authority can authorise a government agency to intercept, monitor or decrypt information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.