Topic Of The Day:-“Snooping Or Saving? On Proposed Online Surveillance”
Proposed Rules For Online Monitoring Should Balance Legitimate Interest With Privacy
Laws seeking to regulate online activity, especially on social media, will have to be tested against two fundamental rights: free speech and privacy. Regulations that abridge these rights tend to operate in both positive and negative ways. For instance, statutory norms relating to data protection are seen as essential to protect citizens from any breach of their informational privacy; but attempts to regulate online content are seen with suspicion. The latter category evokesdoubt whether they violate their freedom of expression (as enforcement of such rules may involve blocking websites, disabling accounts, removing content and interceptingcommunication), and amount to surveillance that breaches privacy. Two official documents, one of them a draft proposal, that seek to introduce changes in the way rules for interception and monitoring of computer-based information are applied have caused a furore. The first was an order authorising 10 agencies under the Centre to implement Section 69(1) of the Information Technology Act, as amended in 2008, which allows interception, monitoring and decryption of information transmitted through or stored in a computer resource. The other is a draft proposing changes to the rules framed in 2011 for “intermediaries” such as Internet and network service providers and cyber-cafes. While the order listing 10 agencies does not introduce any new rule for surveillance, the latter envisages new obligations on service providersA critical change envisaged is that intermediaries should help identify the ‘originator’ of offending content. Many were alarmed by the possibility for surveillance and monitoring of personal computers that this rule throws up. The government has sought feedback from social media and technology companies, but it appears that even services that bank on end-to-end encryption may be asked to open up a backdoor to identify ‘originators’ of offending material. There is justifiedconcern that attempts are on to expand the scope for surveillance at a time when the government must be looking at ways to implement the Supreme Court’s landmark decision holding that privacy is a fundamental right. Some of these rules, originally framed in 2009, may have to be tested against the privacy case judgment, now that the right has been clearly recognised. It isindeed true that the court has favoured stringent rules to curb online content that promotes child pornography or paedophilia, foments sectarian violence or activates lynch-mobs. While the exercise to regulate online content is necessary, it is important that while framing such rules, a balance is struck between legitimate public interest and individual rights. And it will be salutaryif judicial approval is made an essential feature of all interception and monitoring decisions.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) abridge
Meaning : shorten (a book, film, speech, etc.) without losing the sense.(v)
Synonyms : curtail
Antonyms : extend
Example : “an abridged text of his speech”
2) tend
Meaning : regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic(v).
Synonyms : bear
Antonyms : dislike
Example : “written language tends to be formal”
3) statutory
Meaning : required, permitted, or enacted by statute.(adj)
Synonyms : legal
Antonyms : illicit
Example : “statutory controls over prices”
4) breach
Meaning : an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.(n)
Synonyms : crack
Antonyms : closing
Example : “a breach of confidence”
5) suspicion
Meaning : a feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true.(n)
Synonyms : conjecture
Antonyms : certainty
Example : “she had a sneaking suspicion that he was laughing at her”
6) evokes
Meaning : bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind.(v)
Synonyms : conjure
Antonyms : calm
Example : “the sight evoked pleasant memories of his childhood”
7) enforcement
Meaning : the act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.(n)
Synonyms : prosecution
Antonyms : abandon
Example : “the strict enforcement of environmental regulations”
8) intercepting
Meaning : obstruct (someone or something) so as to prevent them from continuing to a destination.(v)
Synonyms : ambush
Antonyms : allow
Example : “intelligence agencies intercepted a series of telephone calls”
9) furore
Meaning : an outbreak of public anger or excitement(n).
Example : “the verdict raised a furore over the role of courtroom psychiatry”
10) envisages
Meaning : contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event.
Synonyms : behold
Example : “the Rome Treaty envisaged free movement across frontiers”
11) sought
Meaning : attempt to find (something).(v)
Synonyms : desired
Example : “they came here to seek shelter from biting winter winds”
12) concern
Meaning : relate to; be about.(v)
Synonyms : interest
Antonyms : pastime
Example : “the story concerns a friend of mine”
13) implement
Meaning : a tool, utensil, or other piece of equipment that is used for a particular purpose(n).
Synonyms : utensil
Antonyms : exempt
Example : “garden implements”
14) indeed
Meaning : used to emphasize a statement or response confirming something already suggested(adv).
Synonyms : certainly
Antonyms : doubtfully
Example : “it was not expected to last long, and indeed it took less than three weeks”
15) stringent
Meaning : (of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.(adj)
Synonyms : demanding
Antonyms : amenable
Example : “stringent guidelines on air pollution”
16) curb
Meaning : a check or restraint on something.
Synonyms : restraint
Antonyms : center
Example : “plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing”
17) Refused
Meaning : indicate or show that one is not willing to do something.
Synonyms : denied
Antonyms : allowed
Example : “I refused to answer”
18) foments
Meaning : instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action(v).
Synonyms : arouse
Antonyms : deter
Example : “they accused him of fomenting political unrest”
19) salutary
Meaning : (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial.
Synonyms : healthful
Example : “it failed to draw salutary lessons from Britain’s loss of its colonies”
20) legitimate
Meaning : conforming to the law or to rules.(adj)
Synonyms : appropriate
Antonyms : abnormal
Example : “his claims to legitimate authority”
21) undermined
Meaning : erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation).
Synonyms : appropriate
Antonyms : abnormal
Example : “the flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof”
22) claims
Meaning : state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.(v)
Synonyms : allegation
Antonyms : reply
Example : “the Prime Minister claimed that he was concerned about Third World debt”
23) denies
Meaning : state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.
Synonyms : contradict
Antonyms : accept
Example : “both firms deny any responsibility for the tragedy”
24) repressive
Meaning : (especially of a social or political system) inhibiting or restraining personal freedom.
Synonyms : restrictive
Example : “a repressive regime”
25) tumultuous
Meaning : making an uproar or loud, confused noise(adj).
Synonyms : fierce
Antonyms : calm
Example : “tumultuous applause”
26) tenure
Meaning : the holding of an office(n).
Synonyms : occupation
Antonyms : misconception
Example : “his tenure of the premiership would be threatened”
27) restored
Meaning : bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation).
Synonyms : refreshed
Example : “the government restored confidence in the housing market”
28) essential
Meaning : absolutely necessary; extremely important.”it is essential to keep up-to-date records”(adj)
Synonyms : crucial
Antonyms : auxiliary
Example : “it is essential to keep up-to-date records”
