The Supreme Court of India on Friday asked the Centre whether it wants to create a surveillance state by tapping citizens’ WhatsApp messages and directed to get back with response within two weeks.
While hearing a petition filed by Trinamool Congress lawmaker from West Bengal’s Karimpur, Mahua Moitra, against the government’s plan to set up a social media hub, a three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud issued a notice to the Centre and sought Attorney General K.K. Venugopal’s assistance.
Appearing for Moitra, senior advocate A.M. Singhvi said the Centre had issued a request for proposal and the tender would be floated on August 20.
Read More: Rahul Gandhi stands in solidarity with government on Pulwama, says ‘no other discussion’ now
Earlier, in January and April this year, Moitra filed a writ petition in the apex court after ministry of information and broadcasting announced the setting up of a social media hub that would collect and analyse digital and social media content.
Leave a Reply