[Chapter-delegates] Of possible interest: India's new Internet laws go against fundamental right to freedom of speech

[Sivasubramanian M]

Dear Narelle,

On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 3:06 PM, Narelle <narellec at gmail.com> wrote:

> It does seem rather - shall I suggest most politely, respectfully, yet
> earnestly - strong?
>

Very strong indeed. And something needs to be done. We will come back on
this with more comments.

Sivasubramanian M
ISOC India Chennai



>
> quoting:
> "Users shall not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit,
> update or share any information that is grossly harmful, harassing,
> blasphemous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, paedophilic,
> libellous, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially,
> ethnically objectionable, disparaging, relating or encouraging money
> laundering or gambling, or otherwise unlawful in any manner [...]
>
> users may not publish anything that threatens the unity, integrity,
> defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with
> foreign states, or or
> public order or causes incitement to the commission of any cognisable
> offence or prevents investigation of any offence or is insulting any
> other nation."
>
> The use of the word "disparaging" to me is particularly problematic.
>
> Disparaging means 'criticizing someone, in a way that shows you do not
> respect or value them' according to the Cambridge Dictionary. In
> common usage it can carry an even less personal meaning, in that it
> might just be the person's actions that are criticised. How is this
> determined?
>
> Then there is the concept of "transmit" does this only apply to
> "users" relaying or reposting, rather than web site operators or ISPs?
>
> Clearly no-one will ever be able to mention the cricket on an Indian
> web site ever again... nor the safety and security of Indian citizens
> overseas!
>
>
>
> On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 3:31 AM, Eduardo Diaz
> <eduardodiazrivera at gmail.com> wrote:
> > http://tinyurl.com/indiaspeech
>
>
> Regards
>
>
> Narelle
>
>
> --
>
>
> Narelle
> narellec at gmail.com
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