Catergory

Supreme Court

internet shutdowns

J&K’s Partial Disclosure of Internet Shutdown Orders Undermines Transparency

In our opinion, the FAA has misread the Supreme Court’s ruling and overlooked the broader transparency mandate in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, which clearly requires publishing all orders, including those by review committees.
27 March, 2025
8 min read
Injila Muslim ZaidiInjila Muslim Zaidi
internet shutdowns

The Supreme Court dismissed J&K internet shutdown challenge as it became infructuous due to passage of time

In 2020, the Private School Association of J&K approached the Supreme Court because the restrictions on internet services prevented students from exercising their right to education. The Supreme Court dismissed the Petition on the ground that it had become infructuous due to the passage of time.
31 January, 2025
5 min read
Shravani Nag LankaShravani Nag Lanka
ITRules

Big Relief! Supreme Court Stays Notification Constituting Fact-Check Unit!

In a small win for press freedom, Supreme Court has stayed the notification of Union Government operationalising the Fact-Check Unit under Information Technology Rules, 2021, till the constitutionality of the same is finally decided by Bombay HC.
23 March, 2024
5 min read
Radhika RoyRadhika Roy
Supreme Court

Supreme Court dismisses challenge to the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022

We challenged the constitutionality of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, on the ground that it raises serious concerns around privacy and data protection. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition and directed us to approach the High Court instead.
28 February, 2024
3 min read
Internet Freedom FoundationInternet Freedom Foundation
2024

Review Committee Orders On Internet Shutdowns Should be Published, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has taken the prima facie view that while deliberations may not necessarily be published, findings of the Review Committee pertaining to internet suspension must be published.
01 February, 2024
4 min read
Radhika RoyRadhika Roy
internet shutdowns

Supreme Court refuses to hear Miscellaneous Application seeking compliance with internet shutdown guidelines laid out in the Anuradha Bhasin Judgement

In May 2023, the Supreme Court was pleased to issue a notice, and in Sept 2023, the court granted the UoI, the liberty to file a response. However, on Dec 7 the Supreme Court was not inclined to hear the matter. Consequently, the Miscellaneous Application was dismissed as withdrawn.
13 December, 2023
3 min read
Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra
internet shutdowns

The Supreme Court asks Government to file a counter in Foundation of Media Professional’s application for compliance with Anuradha Bhasin

The Supreme Court on September 21, 2023 has granted liberty to the Union Government to file its response.
29 September, 2023
2 min read
Tanmay SinghTanmay Singh
sedition

Supreme Court refers challenge to constitutionality of sedition law to a larger Bench of at least 5 judges

Noting that the past cases under Section 124-A will not be affected on account of introduction of new Bills, a 3-judges bench of the Supreme Court led by the CJI has referred the petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 124-A to a larger Bench of at least 5 judges
13 September, 2023
5 min read
Radhika RoyRadhika Roy & Tanmay SinghTanmay Singh
Anuradha Bhasin

Supreme Court of India issues notice in Foundation of Media Professional’s application seeking compliance with Anuradha Bhasin Internet Shutdown Guidelines. #KeepItOn

Tl;dr Despite detailed guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, (2020) 3 SCC 637, State governments have continued to illegally impose internet shutdowns. Internet shutdowns are imposed without publishing internet suspension orders; under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (“CrPC”) and/or not constituting the Review Committee to review the legality of internet suspensions under the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public
11 May, 2023
3 min read
Gayatri MalhotraGayatri Malhotra
SaveOurPrivacy

The Supreme Court refuses Special Leave Petition challenging the unconstitutional retention of mobile data of journalists

In December 2022, P. Vaishnavi, a freelance journalist, approached the Supreme Court challenging the order of the High Court of Madras that directed the trial court to keep a copy of all necessary content and data from her mobile phone, without providing any safeguards.
11 February, 2023
3 min read
Tanmay SinghTanmay Singh

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