At a hearing dated January 31, 2022, IFF’s intervention application challenging the Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017 has been allowed by the Gauhati High Court, and IFF has been impleaded in the case. IFF is now allowed to assist the Court with oral and written submissions in the proceedings.
We wrote to the Minister for Telecommunications, Ashwini Vaishnaw to highlight the lack of implementation of TRAI’s recommendations regarding the enforcement of net neutrality principles by ISPs, which included establishing an independent Multi Stakeholder Body by the DoT.
Between September 7 and 9, 2021, internet services were suspended in four districts of Haryana due to ongoing farmers’ protests. The order is not available on the Government websites and does not lay out a factual justification. We wrote to the Haryana government to officially publish all orders.
The Standing Committee on Home Affairs recently reiterated its stance that VPNs be permanently blocked. We wrote to the MHA, highlighting why VPNs are important and asking for the committee’s proposal to be put through a public consultation.
Recent news report have said that the Telegraph Act, 1885 will be updated to include net enutrality considerations. In light of this, we have written to the DoT highlighting key issues that still persist and providing our recommendations for addressing these issues.