Govt authorises 10 security agencies to intercept, monitor information on computer devices

Govt authorizes 10 security agencies to intercept, monitor information on computer devices

The government on Friday authorised ten security and intelligence agencies, including Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency (NIA), to intercept and monitor information on computer devices.

According to the order, the subscriber or service provider or any person in charge of the computer resource will be bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies. Failing to do so will invite seven-year imprisonment and fine.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub section (1) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) read with rule 4 of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009, the Competent Authority hereby authorises the following security and Intelligence agencies for the purposes of Interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said act," a notification released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) read. It further listed the following agencies:

1. Intelligence Bureau

2. Narcotics Control Bureau

3. Enforcement Directorate

4. Central Board of Direct Taxes

5. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

6. Central Bureau of Investigation

7. National Investigation Agency

8. Cabinet Secretariat (RAW)

9. Directorate of Signal Intelligence (For service areas of Jammu and Kashmir, North East and Assam only)

10. Commissioner of Police, Delhi

The Congress, the CPI(M), the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Trinamool Congress spoke out against the order, which they said was issued on Thursday.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said the order was against the right to privacy, which was a fundamental right. Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav termed the order unconstitutional and said the present government should refrain from making such moves with just a few month left for the general elections.

TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said the move was 'draconian while RJD's Manoj Jha said that it was a cause of concern for not just parliamentarians, but for every Indian.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury voiced his opposition on Twitter. "Why is every Indian being treated like a criminal? This order by a govt wanting to snoop on every citizen is unconstitutional and in breach of the telephone tapping guidelines, the Privacy Judgement and the Aadhaar judgement,"he said.