Apropos the issue voiced by the Union minister for communications and IT on objectionable content on social networking sites, the government is already in the process of introducing laws to monitor end-users’ phone call data, satellite services and Web content. The concerns raised over social networking sites and micro-blogs, not to forget the government’s confrontational stand seeking encryption keys from Research in Motion’s BlackBerry service, may reflect the need to add these channels to government monitoring. This could be in contradiction to the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Nevertheless, it is true the social networking sites are more liberal and the fastest mode of disseminating information around the globe. But their aggressiveness and authenticity have now come into question, as has their unwillingness to share data with authorities. The paramount question is, with reference to different cultures, who is going to judge what is right or wrong?
Syed Khaja, New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number