Your Computer Data Can Now Be Tracked And Monitored By The Indian Govt

In a move that concerns all Indian citizens, the Ministry of Home Affairs has given 10 central agencies the permission for computer’s data tracking, monitoring and intercepting.

This is the first time something like this has ever happened. The government has granted agencies the power to spy on an individual computer, not just the data transmitted between two different computers.

The order was issued on December 20. 10 agencies include: : Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency, CBI, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Cabinet Secretariat (R&AW), the Delhi Police Commissioner, and Directorate of Signal Intelligence (for North-East and Assam, Jammu and Kashmir areas only).

According to a report from NDTV, any computer owners are required to cooperate and offer technical assistance they receive requests from investigating agencies. If they don’t cooperate, they may be charged with a penalty of up to 7 years in prison as well as a fine.

This order from the Home Ministry can obviously be misused. Moreover, the rule is gaining much criticism.

Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal is against this decision and questioned why allowed agencies have the authority to spy on the citizens of India. She stated that:

And she was calling for a public debate on this order.

While there is no information on phones tracking in this order, this is still considered as a person’s privacy right violation. This is a basic right that was proclaimed by the Indian Supreme Court just last year.