India: Tech firms should uphold privacy, free speech | Association for Progressive Communications apc.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from apc.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Demonstrators and Indian Youth Congress activists wear masks depicting environmental activist Disha Ravi, during a protest against her arrest and a recent fuel price hike, New Delhi, India, 22 February 2021, JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images Several civil society groups have expressed concern over the actions of the Indian government that violate free expression and privacy rights as authorities intensify the suppression of criticism related to the ongoing farmers protests.
This statement was originally published on article19.org on 11 March 2021.
“The Indian government has taken various measures that violate free expression and privacy rights in response to growing international criticism of its handling of the farmers’ protests,” Access Now, ARTICLE 19, the Association for Progressive Communications, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Derechos Digitales, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Mnemonic, Reporters Without Borders, an
Access Now 10 March 2021 | 10:30 pm
Ten international non-profit organizations Access Now, ARTICLE 19, the Association for Progressive Communications, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Derechos Digitales, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Mnemonic, Reporters Without Borders, and WITNESS are jointly
calling on government authorities and web firms operating in India to cease a crusade of censorship and surveillance across the nation targeting critics speaking online in response to the ongoing #FarmersProtests.
Tech companies hold immense power, and must defend privacy, and ensure free speech by pushing back on government orders that infringe on rights. They should:
In line with international standards, “engage in prevention and risk mitigation strategies that respect principles of internationally recognized human rights to the greatest extent possible when faced with