News publishers were sent notices under the IT Rules, even after major parts of the IT Rules were stayed. The MIB said that news publishers have only offered this information “voluntarily”, i.e. that there is no compulsion to respond to them.
In response to an RTI Application, the State of Rajasthan has stated that their review committee does not meet or review internet shutdown orders. This is contrary to Rule 2(6) of Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017. We have filed a first appeal seeking clarity from the State.
For the month of February 2022, IFF has filed 36 RTI requests and 3 first appeals.
In December 2021, NIXI published an undated notice stating that if any entity wants to register for more than two [dot]in domains, they’ll have to seek written permission from the NIXI CEO. In our RTI request, NIXI responded stating that the notice was issued for “national security”.
IFF had filed six RTIs with the MHA seeking data on the e-surveillance. MHA first denied information on grounds of national security and later claimed that the data did not exist. CIC has admonished the CPIO for changing its stance and sought confirmation on non-availability of data on affidavit.