Stories about India
India's Biometric ID System Is Leaking Personal Data — And State Agencies Won't Fix the Problem
Instead of improving the Aadhaar system, India's unique ID authority is going after journalists who write about its flaws.
From Internet Blackouts to Violent Attacks, South Asia Saw New Threats to Free Expression Online in 2017
In 2017, South Asian countries faced growing challenges in the field of internet freedom, censorship, and freedom of expression.
In India, Class and Gender Inequities Impede Justice for Sexual Harassment Victims
"...the entire justice system itself is aligned towards keeping patriarchy and caste system intact."
Freedom of Expression or ‘Obscene Representation'? The Case Against Indian Cartoonist Bala G
"The incident made me think that my children were burning. I have no words to express my sorrow, so I drew the cartoon out of rage."
Netizen Report: Online Supporters of Myanmar's Rohingya Face Censorship, Legal Threats
Salvadoran journalists face violent threats on social media, Japanese activists stomp on hateful tweets and Chile doubles down on data retention.
Twitter Tells Kashmiri Journalists and Activists That They Will Be Censored at Indian Government's Request
"It is an attempt at intimidating those who post the truth that will never be shown by Indian media."
On WhatsApp, Fake News is Nearly Impossible to Moderate. Is That a Bad Thing?
People are keen to tackle fake news on Facebook. But picture becomes more complex when news and information spread through WhatsApp.
Gauri Lankesh, a Journalist Who Was Critical of India's Right Wing, Is Gunned Down Outside Her Home
"In fact, this is an assassination on democracy. In her passing, Karnataka has lost a strong progressive voice..."
India’s Latest Internet Shutdown Hits Haryana and Punjab
According to the New Delhi-based Software Freedom Law Centre, India has seen 106 internet shutdowns since 2012.
India’s Supreme Court Says Privacy Is a Fundamental Right. How Did This Happen?
A series of citizen petitions attempting to challenge the implementation of India's Aadhaar biometric ID system preceded the historic court decision.
‘Privacy is a Fundamental Right': Advocates Hail India's Supreme Court Ruling
The ruling followed multiple citizen petitions that challenged the government's move to make Aadhaar -- India's national digital ID system -- mandatory for various social welfare benefits.
India Bans the Internet Archive and More Than 2,600 File-Sharing Websites to Protect Bollywood
The ban is the result of a court ruling, based on the petitions of two Bollywood producers, to stop file-sharing websites from distributing pirated copies of recently released movies.
Indian Journalists Demand Press Freedom Protections After State Agents Raid Broadcaster Offices
“We have one message to those who are trying to destroy the institutions of India and everything it stands for: we will fight for our country and overcome these forces."
Online Trolls Attack Critics of India's Aadhaar State ID System
Critics of the Aadhaar biometric ID system are being criticized by state agencies and trolled by anonymous handles on Twitter.
Netizen Report: In India and Jamaica, Women Face Threats for Resisting Misogyny Online
In Malaysia and Azerbaijan, officials go after media for political coverage. Meanwhile, with major social media sites banned, Kashmiris have turned to local platform KashBook.
Mumbai Technologists Are Using TV Spectrum to Bring More Internet Access to India
Poor Internet infrastructure leaves the vast majority of Indians limited to mobile Internet only, making it difficult to engage deeply with Internet technology.
‘Cyber Warrior’ Group Threatens to Extort Indian Women on Facebook
Threats of character assassination and extortion can carry severe real-life consequences, especially for women.
Is India's Aadhaar System an Instrument For Surveillance?
"Repeat after me: Aadhaar is surveillance technology masquerading as secure authentication technology."
The World’s Largest Biometric Database is Leaking Indian Citizens’ Data — But Keeps On Growing
In spite of multiple court orders making UID voluntary and limited to selected schemes, the government continues to expand its scope.
Indian Government Bans 22 Social Media Platforms in Kashmir including Facebook, WhatsApp
"By presenting the other side to the Kashmir storyline, the locals once again were able to own....the highly complex and conflicted Kashmir narrative."