Digital rights group claims clarity from DoT on blocking WeTransfer


By MYBRANDBOOK


Digital rights group claims clarity from DoT on blocking WeTransfer

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has declined to give reasons for blocking WeTransfer last month, on grounds of the matter being under investigation. WeTransfer is a popular file sharing service, based in the Netherlands, used for sharing large files. According to a blog by IFF it has even been as late as 2017 been used in press releases on the Press Information Bureau by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.



As per an order dated May 18, 2020, the DoT had directed all internet service providers to block three URLs of WeTransfer, reportedly done in the interests of, "national security and public order".



In response to an RTI filed by digital rights advocacy group Internet India Foundation (IIF) on June 1, DoT said, “It is intimated that information sought by the applicant may impede the process of investigation and therefore the CPIO is not obliged to disclose the same under section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act 2005.”



IFF argued that the Order has not been pro-actively published and hence there exists a large amount of confusion amongst the large base of WeTransfer users in India as the website is being inconsistently blocked across ISPs throughout India.



The order does not contain any stated reasons but directs that three URLs be blocked. An absence of any reasoning makes the order appear mechanical and lacking an application of mind.



The rights group, in a separate representation, has urged DoT to recall the order and initiate a fresh process under the Blocking Rules with proactive public disclosure and an opportunity for WeTransfer representatives to make their case in defence.

 E-Magazine 
 VIDEOS  Placeholder image

Copyright www.mybrandbook.co.in @1999-2024 - All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Kalinga Digital Media Pvt. Ltd. is prohibited.
Other Initiatives : www.varindia.com | www.spoindia.org