Gayatri Malhotra - Internet Freedom Foundation

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Gayatri Malhotra

Twitter/X Corp 's legal challenge before the Karnataka High Court spotlights illegal take down orders being used as parallel process and a censorship portal

X Corp. (formerly Twitter) is challenging the government’s misuse of Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to issue takedown orders, bypassing Section 69A safeguards. It also exposed ‘Sahyog,’ an illegal censorship portal.

21 March, 2025

8 min read

Vikatan unblocked : Madras HC gives interim relief

Vikatan’s website was blocked without prior notice, raising serious concerns about digital censorship and due process. With IFF’s legal support, this case highlights the urgent need for transparency in online content regulation.

06 March, 2025

4 min read

Apar Gupta &

Gayatri Malhotra

elections

IFF’s submission to the UN Report on “Freedom of Expression and Elections in the Digital Age”

The submission highlights censorship, content moderation, regulatory developments, and recommendations to protect digital rights in India’s electoral process.

26 February, 2025

7 min read

Naman Kumar,

Gayatri Malhotra,

Injila Muslim Zaidi &

Shravani Nag Lanka

year in review

2024 Year in Review: In Court –– We won, but persist

In 2024, the legal team at IFF expanded our horizons—engaging with Constitutional Courts, and tribunals across India––holding the State and Big Tech accountable for their actions.

27 December, 2024

8 min read

Constitutional Challenge to the IT Rules, 2021: Delhi HC Directs Completion of Pleadings

The Delhi High Court began hearing petitions challenging the IT Rules, 2021. The Court directed the nodal counsel to circulate pleadings among the parties. The matter is now listed before the Registrar for completion of pleadings.

12 November, 2024

3 min read

Gayatri Malhotra &

Rubayya Tasneem

Telecom Act, 2023

A Draft for Cyber (In)Security: IFF’s Analysis of the Draft Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024

This post includes our in-depth analysis of the draft Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, along with a table comparing the 2024 draft Rules with the corresponding provisions under the Prevention of the Tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number Rules, 2017.

24 September, 2024

11 min read

A Draft to Surveil: IFF’s Analysis of the Draft Telecom Interception Rules, 2024

This post includes our in-depth analysis of the draft Telecom Interception Rules, 2024 and broadly India's surveillance architecture, along with a table comparing the 2024 draft Rules with the corresponding provisions under the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951.

12 September, 2024

12 min read

Tejasi Panjiar &

Gayatri Malhotra

Telecom Act, 2023

A Draft to Disconnect: IFF’s Analysis of the Draft Telecom Suspension Rules, 2024

The DoT released the draft Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024 for a 30-day public consultation. This post includes our in-depth analysis of the draft Suspension Rules, 2024, along with a comparison with the corresponding provisions under the 2017 Rules.

03 September, 2024

7 min read

Gayatri Malhotra &

Tejasi Panjiar

internet shutdowns

Supreme Court Orders Publication of Review Committee Orders Relating to Internet Shutdowns

The Supreme Court has held that review committee orders under the Telecom Suspension Rules, 2017 must be published, while deliberations of the review committee need not necessarily be notified.

26 February, 2024

3 min read

Gayatri Malhotra

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 Malhotra

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