NEW DELHI: The Center on Sunday responded to allegations that the phone numbers of Indian journalists, politicians, activists were hacked using Israeli spyware.Pegasus‘
Here is the full statement:
India is a strong democracy which is committed to ensure the right to privacy to its citizens ill-advised as a fundamental right. Taking forward this commitment, it has also introduced personal data protection bill, 2019 and the Information Technology {Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021, to protect personal data of individuals and empower users of social media platforms.
Commitment to freedom of expression as a fundamental right is the cornerstone of India’s democratic system. We have always tried to get an aware citizen by emphasizing on the culture of open dialogue.
However. The questionnaire sent to the Government of India indicates that the story being fabricated is not only devoid of facts but also founded in preconceived conclusions. It sounds like you are trying to play the role of an investigator. Prosecutor as well as jury.
Considering the fact that the answers to the questions asked are already in the public domain, this also indicates a poorly done research and due diligence by the respected media organizations involved.
The Government of India’s response to a Right to Information application regarding the use of Pegasus has been reported prominently by the media and is sufficient to counter any malicious claims about the alleged association between the Government of India and Pegasus.
(India’s Minister of Electronics and IT has also spoken in detail, including ParliamentThat there is no unauthorized interception by government agencies. It is important to note that government agencies have a well-established protocol for interception, which involves sanction and supervision from high-ranking officials in the central and state governments only for reasons that are obvious in the national interest.
The allegations of government surveillance on specific people have no solid basis or truth attached to it.
In the past, similar claims were made regarding the use of Pegasus. WhatsApp by the Indian state. Those reports also had no factual basis and were categorically denied by all parties, including WhatsApp, in the Supreme Court of India.
This news report. Thus, it also appears to be a similar fishing expedition. Based on speculation and exaggeration to defame Indian democracy and its institutions.
(n is a well-established procedure in India through which the lawful interception of electronic communications for the purpose of national security, in particular on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, by agencies at the Center and State. Requests for these lawful interception of electronic communications are made in accordance with the relevant rules under the provisions of section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act.1885 and section 69 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2000.
Each case of interception, monitoring and decryption is approved by the competent authority i.e. union home Secretary. These powers are also available to the Competent Authority in the State Governments as per the IT (Process and Security for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009.
There is an established oversight mechanism in the form of a review committee headed by central cabinet Secretary. In the case of State Governments, such matters are reviewed by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
So the process ensures that no interception. Monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource is done in accordance with due process of law.
Here is the full statement:
India is a strong democracy which is committed to ensure the right to privacy to its citizens ill-advised as a fundamental right. Taking forward this commitment, it has also introduced personal data protection bill, 2019 and the Information Technology {Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021, to protect personal data of individuals and empower users of social media platforms.
Commitment to freedom of expression as a fundamental right is the cornerstone of India’s democratic system. We have always tried to get an aware citizen by emphasizing on the culture of open dialogue.
However. The questionnaire sent to the Government of India indicates that the story being fabricated is not only devoid of facts but also founded in preconceived conclusions. It sounds like you are trying to play the role of an investigator. Prosecutor as well as jury.
Considering the fact that the answers to the questions asked are already in the public domain, this also indicates a poorly done research and due diligence by the respected media organizations involved.
The Government of India’s response to a Right to Information application regarding the use of Pegasus has been reported prominently by the media and is sufficient to counter any malicious claims about the alleged association between the Government of India and Pegasus.
(India’s Minister of Electronics and IT has also spoken in detail, including ParliamentThat there is no unauthorized interception by government agencies. It is important to note that government agencies have a well-established protocol for interception, which involves sanction and supervision from high-ranking officials in the central and state governments only for reasons that are obvious in the national interest.
The allegations of government surveillance on specific people have no solid basis or truth attached to it.
In the past, similar claims were made regarding the use of Pegasus. WhatsApp by the Indian state. Those reports also had no factual basis and were categorically denied by all parties, including WhatsApp, in the Supreme Court of India.
This news report. Thus, it also appears to be a similar fishing expedition. Based on speculation and exaggeration to defame Indian democracy and its institutions.
(n is a well-established procedure in India through which the lawful interception of electronic communications for the purpose of national security, in particular on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety, by agencies at the Center and State. Requests for these lawful interception of electronic communications are made in accordance with the relevant rules under the provisions of section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act.1885 and section 69 of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2000.
Each case of interception, monitoring and decryption is approved by the competent authority i.e. union home Secretary. These powers are also available to the Competent Authority in the State Governments as per the IT (Process and Security for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009.
There is an established oversight mechanism in the form of a review committee headed by central cabinet Secretary. In the case of State Governments, such matters are reviewed by a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
So the process ensures that no interception. Monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource is done in accordance with due process of law.
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