Modi govt spying on Indians using tools from Israeli firms: Report
New Delhi: India is reportedly intercepting personal data through a 'backdoor' that allows the government to spy on its 1.4 billion citizens, according to a report by the Financial Times. This surveillance system is facilitated by hardware installed at subsea cable landing stations, which connect the country to the rest of the world. These installations can search, copy, and transmit data to security agencies when needed, often utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics.
The growth of India's communications market has attracted various companies seeking to sell surveillance tools, including domestic firms like Vehere, as well as international companies such as Israel's Cognyte and Septier. Concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of these technologies, especially given the increased powers granted to authorities under India's new data protection law.
The report highlights how India openly requires telecom companies to install surveillance technology at subsea cable landing stations and data centers. These installations are approved by the Government of India as a condition of operation. While the Indian government insists that surveillance is strictly controlled and monitored, critics argue that these safeguards may not be sufficient to prevent abuse.
India's rules for lawful interception enable security and law enforcement agencies to access data without obtaining a court order. Critics claim that the requirement to seek permission from the Home Secretary lacks clarity and fails to distinguish between targeted and mass surveillance.
The Modi government has faced previous controversies, including the Pegasus scandal, where a hacking tool was found on journalists' and activists' phones. With the new data protection law in place, concerns have grown over the broad powers given to authorities for bypassing privacy safeguards.
Companies like Vehere and Septier have been active in the Indian market, offering interception technology and monitoring solutions to telecom companies. Israeli firms, in particular, have gained popularity due to their willingness to conduct business.
While the Indian government and the companies involved have not responded to the Financial Times' inquiries, it's evident that the surveillance landscape in India is evolving, raising questions about privacy, regulation, and government oversight.
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Traffic fraud: Fake 'no-entry' sticker racket busted in Delhi, mastermind among 3 held
New Delhi (PTI): Police here have busted a crime syndicate involved in traffic fraud and extortion, arresting three people including the alleged mastermind who sold fake stickers to help commercial vehicles bypass no-entry restrictions, an official said on Saturday.
The police said they dismantled a third organised syndicate linked to traffic-related frauds, with the arrest of Rinku Rana alias Bhushan, his associate Sonu Sharma and Mukesh Kumar alias Pakodi, who was also connected to another extortion syndicate.
According to the police, Rinku Rana was running a well-organised network that facilitated the movement of commercial goods vehicles during restricted hours by selling fake 'marka' or stickers for Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per vehicle every month. The stickers were falsely projected as authorisation to evade traffic challans.
During raids, the police recovered Rs 31 lakh in cash, property documents worth several crores of rupees, over 500 fake stickers and six mobile phones allegedly used to operate the syndicate.
The crackdown followed a complaint filed by a traffic police officer in April this year after a commercial vehicle tried to evade checking by producing a fake sticker claiming exemption from enforcement action.
Investigation revealed that social media groups were being used to coordinate the illegal movement of vehicles and alert drivers about traffic police checkpoints, police said.
"A parallel system was being run to cheat drivers and vehicle owners while undermining traffic enforcement. On the basis of evidence, provisions related to organised crime under the BNS were invoked," a senior police officer said.
Sonu Sharma, the police said, managed social media groups through which stickers were sold and real-time alerts were circulated regarding traffic police movement. He also acted as a link between Rana and drivers operating in the field.
In a related development, Mukesh Kumar alias Pakodi, an associate of Rajkumar alias Raju Meena, who was earlier arrested under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), was also apprehended.
Mukesh allegedly helped extort money from transporters and was involved in blackmailing traffic police personnel by recording enforcement actions, the police said.
Investigators alleged the syndicate led by Rajkumar deployed drivers to deliberately violate traffic rules and secretly record police officials during challans, later using manipulated videos to extort money under threat of false allegations.
The police said that in total, eight accused belonging to three different organised crime syndicates linked to traffic frauds and extortion have been arrested so far.
Further investigation is underway to trace the remaining members, conduct financial probes, and analyse digital evidence recovered during the raids, officials added.
