Internet Freedom

Previously referred to as a "WhatsApp killer," the Beep Pakistan app is being touted by the critics as part of a broader government strategy to control online discourse and limit access to informatio

Less than 10 per cent of internet traffic originates from the east, and Pakistani users have complained about difficulty accessing the internet, especially at night

Powered by artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, images and audio are being used to harass and create mischief

The Manipur government on Thursday extended mobile internet ban across the state by five more days till November 13, officials said. The ban, however, will not be enforced in the four hill district headquarters which have not been affected by ethnic strife, officials added. The state government said the decision to extend the ban was taken "as there is apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state." A home department order said, "There is imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public private property and widespread disturbances to public tranquility and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media." "To thwart the designs of anti-national and anti-social elements and to ..

The Manipur High Court has directed the state government to operationalise mobile towers, on a trial basis, in all those district headquarters which have not been affected by ethnic strife. The ruling by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui came after the Manipur government extended the mobile internet ban in the northeastern state till November 8. "The state of Manipur is directed to open and operationalise mobile towers, on a trial basis, in all those district headquarters which have not been affected by violence," the court said while hearing a PIL. The November 6 order also asked the Manipur government to extend the services thereafter to other areas if the law and order situation permits. The court directed the state to upload on its official website copies of all the orders issued in relation to the suspension or curbing of mobile internet data services. The next hearing for compliance of the matter has been schedu

The Manipur government has extended mobile internet ban in the state till November 8, officials said on Sunday. The move comes after a mob had on Wednesday attacked a camp of 1 Manipur Rifles here to loot its armoury, prompting security personnel to fire several rounds in the air. The ban was extended following "apprehensions that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state". An order issued by Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh, acknowledged the existence of "elements of imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public-private property...as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours which might be transmitted/ circulated to the public through social media...in the context of the recent incidents of violence in some parts of the state". Tension had been brewing in the sta

The Manipur government has extended mobile internet ban for another five days till October 31, officials said on Thursday. The move comes barely a week after Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said the government would withdraw the ban within the next few days. The ban was extended following "apprehensions that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate videos inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions on the law and order situation," a government notification said. The notification by commissioner (home) T Ranjit Singh informed that the DGP vide letter dated October 25 had "reported that there are still reports of incidents of violence like confrontation of the public with security forces, attempts to mob elected members residences and civil protests in front of police stations." "To thwart the designs and activities of anti-nationals and anti-socials and to maintain peace and communal

The Internet services for the town, which have been suspended since Tuesday night, shall remain cut-off till midnight (June 8-9) tonight to prevent rumour mongering by vested elements

For a country that will have more than 1.3 billion Indians connected to Internet by 2025, making Web safe from user harm, online criminality, disinformation and misinformation has to be a joint goal

India's internet freedom score improved by two points to 51 in the global ranking following efforts to bridge the digital divide in the country, the US government-funded NGO Freedom House said on Tuesday. The improvement in the score is also based on reduced frequency and intensity of internet shutdowns in the country. "Internet freedom in India marginally improved over the last year, following four years of decline, as efforts to bridge the country's digital divides expanded access to the internet. While the government continues to impose internet shutdowns, they have reduced in their frequency and intensity," Freedom on The Net 2022 said. India's score was 49 in Internet Freedom in 2021. According to report, legal challenges to laws enabling the government to censor online content, including against the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, have seen limits imposed on some powers. "However, the state continues to block online

Rajasthan is second after Jammu and Kashmir when it comes to suspending net service over law and order issues

Twitter India has blocked over 80 links, including tweets and some accounts, after receiving legal notices from the central government sent through 2021

US, all the EU members and 32 non-EU countries have signed a declaration that represents 'political commitment among partners to advance a positive vision for the internet and digital technologies'

For the first time in three years, Internet and mobile services remained unaffected in J&K on Independence Day which is being celebrated in the Valley in a relaxed atmosphere, officials said

The state is tightening its control over what we read, watch, hear or laugh at, says Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. Why not facilitate our soft power instead of clamping down on its strengths?

India also ranked second in terms of volume of legal demands for content removal after Japan, Twitter said in a blog that provided an update to its transparency report

Here are the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for Friday

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"As an international affairs researcher and a columnist, it looks like I can only go the route of entertainment, food and beverage now," the international relations professor wrote on Jan. 31

The Consumer Technology Association, which represents companies like IBM, Microsoft and Sony, also blasted the effort, saying it would "make compliance all but impossible"