CBI to probe Cambridge Analytica data breach case: Prasad
New Delhi, July 26 : Union Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that the government has ordered the CBI to probe the Cambridge Analytica data breach case over doubts of illegally obtaining data of Indians.
"The first incident was reports of breach data of Facebook, wherein it was reported that number of their users had been compromised by Cambridge Analytica."
"Immediately notice were issued to the two companies and their response sought. Facebook responded and they have streamilned their internal processes regarding handling of personal data," he told the Rajya Sabha.
Prasad also said that the Facebook stated the case of "Cambridge Analytica", and "it was a case of breach of trust". They promised to take various other steps to ensure that such breach do not reoccur.
About Cambridge Analytica, he said: "Cambridge Analytica, on the other hand gave initial response that the data of the Indians were not breached but this was not in confirmity what was reported by Facebook.
"It also did not respond to the subsequent, therefore it is suspected that Cambridge Analyitca may have been involved in illegally obtaining data of Indians which could be misused."
"The government has entrusted the issue to be investigated by the CBI for possible violation of the Information Technology Act 2000," Prasad added.
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P&H High Court denies anticipatory bail to man accused of replacing national flag with saffron flag
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to Vikas Tomar, who is accused of removing the national flag from a mosque in Gurugram’s Uton village and replacing it with a saffron flag.
Justice Manisha Batra, presiding over the case Vikas Tomar @ Vikash Tomar v. State of Haryana, observed that the allegations against the petitioner were not vague but specific, and supported by conversations between him and other co-accused.
“The gravity of the offence and its potential impact on public order and communal peace cannot be overlooked at this stage,” the Court noted. It further stated that no exceptional circumstances had been presented that would justify granting pre-arrest bail, especially given the “serious communal and constitutional implications” of the alleged conduct.
According to the prosecution, a complaint was filed on July 7 in Bilaspur, Gurugram, reporting that anti-social elements had replaced the national flag atop a mosque with a saffron flag. Audio and video evidence were submitted along with the complaint. Two other accused were initially arrested under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act, 1971, but were granted bail the same day.
The Sessions Court had earlier denied anticipatory bail to Tomar on July 15, with Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Chauhan observing that such acts threaten the social fabric in a diverse country like India. He remarked, “Any person of ordinary prudence and slightest of patriotism in his heart would not have dared to commit such a crime.”
Tomar's counsel argued before the High Court that he was not named in the FIR and had no role in the alleged incident. However, opposing counsel representing the State and the complainant contended that Tomar aimed to provoke communal unrest in the region.
Justice Batra, after considering the arguments, concluded that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary. “No ground for grant of anticipatory bail is made out,” the Court held.
Advocate Abhimanyu Singh appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Advocate General Apoorv Garg represented the State of Haryana. Advocate Rosi appeared for the complainant.
The bail plea was dismissed.
