Government snoops over common man's right to privacy
The foremost topic that was deliberated a lot on while the country stood on the threshold of welcoming Aadhar, was about the issues surrounding privacy of individuals. Many experts had expressed their apprehensions about how Aadhar may highly comprise an individual's right to privacy. There were allegations that government was introducing Aadhaar to invade or take control of people's private details and their lives. Now it is out in the open as to how information can be leaked through Aadhaar.
Till now the government would face arguments on the basis that Aadhar was fool proof as far as data is concerned. Now they have gone a step further. The government has now indirectly declared that people's personal information is the right to the government. Hence the government has issued a directive that any information stored on any computer shall be accessed by the government even without the permission of the owner of this information. Legal experts and cyber security professionals have been expressing great concerns about a directive such as this one. This directive empowers intelligence departments, narcotics control units, executive directorate, excise intelligence department, central investigation agency, national intelligence agency, cabinet committee, Jammu and Kashmir, north eastern states, secret code intelligence department in Assam, and Delhi police to monitor, and extract information from any computer whether personal or private. The right to privacy is under threat now. This will enable the government to misuse its powers now. And this will complicate people's lives even further. Defending the decision of the government, union minister Jaitley said this provision exists within the framework of IT act framed by the UPA government, and that the government wasn't misusing its powers in any manner. This way he is trying to absolve his government of any chances of having to shoulder the blame. If UPA government had done everything right, what was the need for the people to choose new government? If UPA had indeed made a mistake Modi government should not use it as defence but try to fix that error through the power and responsibility they have.
Even experts agree that IT Act does have a provision to empower the said agencies with snooping rights for the sake of national security. An act to monitor PCs was introduced in 2008 by the UPA government. Now by implementing it, the NDA government is trying to make this act effective and thus give it the sanctity that's required. Though this provision existed, no one had issued a special order to use it or empowered agencies to use the provisions. Though the IT act was amended in 2008 from the time it was framed in 2000, the rules to use this provision was publicised in 2009.
In a ruling in 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the right to privacy. Hence this directive by the government clashes directly with the Supreme Court's emphasis on privacy pertaining to constitutional rights. Starting from the CBI, the government is interfering with every investigating agency and its works. Instead of working for the welfare of the nation, allegations are aplenty that the agencies are serving the ruling dispensation.
Elements of Sangh Parivar have made a foray into these investigation agencies. Armed with information from private computers, the government and non governmental agencies too can use them against people and exploit them. Those in power may use them to silence their detractors. If the government can peep into your private space, that marks the end of constitution. This directive is an example of how the government is able to use the existing framework to push people around into delicate situations. This needs to be fought against, legally both inside and outside the courts. Or else everyone would lose their right to privacy and kneel before the higher powers. All those voices that could question the government would be silenced with this.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
