Synopsis: The government’s use of is blocking powers under Section 69A of Information and Technology Act 2000 (I.T Act) attracted criticism. There is a need to reforms the blocking powers to ensure free speech in Indian democracy. Background: Twitter suspended some user accounts based on Emergency restriction orders issued by Government under Section 69A. Govt.… Continue reading Need of reforming the blocking powers of Government
Tag: SEC_5
What are the issues in government’s order to Twitter?
Synopsis: The government ordered twitter to shut down user accounts connected with the farm protests. This order hampers fundamental rights and also reveals a complex relationship between the government and large platforms. Introduction The growing digitization of Indian society can be seen in the ongoing farmers’ protest. A new hashtag trends on Twitter for and against… Continue reading What are the issues in government’s order to Twitter?
Low conviction rate under “Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act” (UAPA)
What is the news? Union Home Ministry has informed Rajya Sabha about the cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sedition(Section-124A). Cases under UAPA: Between 2016 and 2019, the total number of the persons arrested and convicted in the country under UAPA were 5,922 and 132 respectively. This means only 2.2 % of… Continue reading Low conviction rate under “Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act” (UAPA)
Centre’s Powers under “Section 69A of IT Act”
What is the News? The Government of India has asked Twitter to follow Indian laws. The government has also expressed disappointment over partial compliance with its orders. What was the issue? The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) ordered Twitter to block several Twitter accounts for posing a threat to law and order. The order… Continue reading Centre’s Powers under “Section 69A of IT Act”
National security laws in India
There are many laws aiding the government in the protection of national interests. They are First, Sedition under section 124A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). Sedition is defined as any action that brings or attempts to bring contempt or hatred towards the government of India. Sedition cases are punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Second, Criminal defamation under section 499 of the IPC. Defamation… Continue reading National security laws in India
Criminalisation of government criticisms: Laws and issues
Recently Bihar government decided to categorize defamatory and offensive social media posts against government officials as cybercrime. Bihar Police has issued a circular to implement this order. This is not the first instance when Sedition laws and criminal defamation have been used to silence the critics of the government. Examples of Government silencing critics: First,… Continue reading Criminalisation of government criticisms: Laws and issues
What is Criminal Defamation?
In India, criminal defamation falls under section 499 of the IPC. Defamation is defined as the communication of a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual person, group, product, business, government, religion, or nation. Section 500 punishes the criminal defamation. The person who commits the crime can be punished with the imprisonment for… Continue reading What is Criminal Defamation?
What is Sedition?
In India, Sedition falls under section 124A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). It is defined as any action that brings or attempts to bring contempt or hatred towards the government of India. Sedition cases are punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. It categorises four sources of seditious acts: spoken words, written words, signs or visible representations. … Continue reading What is Sedition?
Issue of privacy and Personal Data Protection Bill 2019
Synopsis– Present data-based technological development and Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 presents a unique challenge to the privacy of individuals. Introduction Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 – By Puttaswamy v India (2017) case, privacy was established as a fundamental right. In other cases, MP Sharma v. Satish Chandra (1954) and Kharak Singh v. Uttar Pradesh (1962), as well, Privacy rights were upheld by SC. However,… Continue reading Issue of privacy and Personal Data Protection Bill 2019
UN removes cannabis from ‘most dangerous drug’ category
Source: Click Here News: United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs(CND) has voted to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Facts: Earlier Status: Cannabis was a part of both Schedule I and IV of the UN’s Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs — and while drugs in Schedule I can… Continue reading UN removes cannabis from ‘most dangerous drug’ category
