“A direct assault on India’s secular fabric.” Why is India profiling mosques in Kashmir?
“Pushing Muslims to the wall and making them suspect is a security risk in itself. No security threat is bigger than the idea of secular India.”
"I do not find any palpable reason for keeping a 22-year-old in custody"
As we covered in the last issue of the newsletter, the Indian government continues to be displeased with the international attention that the ongoing farmers’ protest– currently in its sixth month – has garnered in response to the government’s demands that Twitter block 250 accounts from being viewed in India.
"...public order or for preventing incitement..."
India's internet shutdowns and blocking of social media get it unwanted attention from Rihanna et al; Myanmar blocks social media to quell dissent.
"Subject to Surveillance"
Govt shuts down the internet over the Farmer’s Rally; IFF takes action against WhatsApp’s privacy policy; Is the PK govt 'ready' to review its Social Media Rules?; A Visual Story about our data.
“I am keeping a record of everything. You are all being watched. Your activities are being closely monitored.”
India: WhatsApp feels the heat; Bihar's police wants criticism to be "constructive"; The Internet Freedom Foundation launches a "Zombie Tracker"; Nepal's PM & creeping surveillance.
"Clearly, the 1973 law is designed to protect governmental privileges, rather than serve any public purpose..."
Electronic & 'new' media to be regulated under Sri Lanka's controversial Press Council Law; A Pakistani court hands out death sentences and prison time over alleged "blasphemy" on social media.
"The social media rules are a very 19th century approach to a 21st century problem."
The PTA finds itself in court, and also goes after Wikipedia; India extends its internet shutdown in Kashmir; why Balochistan internet users should protect themselves online, and how.
"Just another bad example of abuse of power and the ways in which the law is weaponised to silence women."
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency abuses its authority and Pakistani news outlets do its bidding.
“It is part of a larger crackdown and criminalizing of opinions.”
Kashmir: internet shutdown gets extended, social media users are picked up & beaten up by police.
"Let the people have information and let them judge the government.”
The Chief Justice of Pakistan's Islamabad High Court argues that the PTA's Social Media Rules violate constitutional rights to freedom of expression & information.
Extending Internet Shutdowns
How Pakistan's social media rules could impact digital creators; India extends the world's longest internet shutdown by a democracy; Brief: Nepal really needs to protect Freedom of Expression.