Monitoring Computers; Citizens Ought To Have Right To Privacy

The Centre’s move to monitor and intercept computer devices has come under attack in sections of the media, with The Tribune suggesting that there should be a judicial oversight to any situation that requires security agencies to infringe on any individual’s privacy. It said that due process should never be threatened by the possibility of subversion due to expedience or for any other reason.

Reminding the government of its tough stand against international companies and insisting on local data centres in India to curb the flow of information to Indian citizens, the newspaper noted that the basic premise behind the move was to safeguard the privacy of Indian citizens. And there can be no compromise on this aspect, be it from international conglomerates or the government. “Indian citizens have the right to privacy and this must be respected,” the newspaper asserted.