Birth of Cyber Naxalism in India?
The reported
DDOS attack of "Anonymous Hackers" on the websites of the
Supreme Court, MCIT, BJP and Congress, raises a serious concern
on how the ill advised actions of the MCIT is encouraging
hactivists to pursue a policy of confrontation with the
Government. It is possible to dismiss the incident as an
expression of anger for a cause which may actually be right. But
this incident also makes us uneasy with the thought that it may
provide legitimacy and invoke sympathy to an action which can
very easily and very soon get out of control and degenerate into
a mass anti-India action on the Internet. In a way this reminds
us of the way the Naxalite movements in India have grown in
India starting with a genuine cause of raising against unfair
oppression then degenerating into criminality and an issue of
national security.
The Government now has two choices before
them.
First is the choice of using the law to
silence opposition to its Internet Censorship move with an iron
hand. They can ban all erring sites or may start a "White List
of allowed Websites at the ISP level" and ensure that all
websites available in India are licensed and the criteria for
license is that they should follow the content prescriptions of
the ruling Government.
This will ensure that the fight between the
Netizens and the Government will continue and perhaps increase.
The hactivists may join forces with the anti India terrorists
and may even pose a threat to the national cyber security.
The defacements and DDOS attacks can be ignored and if fought
with strong counter insurgency measures. It will provide a lot
of job opportunities to Cyber Security firms who can tie up with
the DIT and enjoy the lucrative business that may flow in from
the enormous Government funds available for fighting National
Security.
The second choice is to realize that the best
way to fight the current wave of insurgency is to diplomatically
accept its mistake and change the current policy of "Excessive
Content Regulation".
The maturity of the Government will be on
test in the coming days as we follow the reaction of the
Government to the current wave of attacks for anonymous hackers
on select Government websites.
As the principle opposition party, a notice
has also been served on BJP and this is an opportunity for BJP
to take a pro-Netizen view and make "Freedom of Expression
on Internet" and election issue.
Naavi,org has always believed in "Responsible
Netizenship" and advocates a path of reconciliation an adoption
of a middle path in controversial issue of "Internet Censorship"
where "Regulation within limits of democracy" is accepted by
all. The solutions of the nature of what has been suggested as
"Regulated Anonymity", "Counter view presentation" (proposed in
respect of dalitstan.org way back in 2000).
After the introduction of amendments to ITA
2000, Naavi.org strongly advocated the formation of a "Netizen
Rights Protection" mechanism similar to the Human Rights
Commission. Perhaps some of these suggestions also become
relevant in the current context.
Related articles:
Naavi's Theory of Regulated Anonymity:
Will the Government Consult Netizens?
:
http://www.bloggernews.net/119210
:
Concern for Privacy Rights Vs National Security
Hate Sites and ICANN's Role :
How to Counter Rogue Sites :
Convergence Bill-More dangerous than the Carnivore? :
Netizens and Fellow Countrymen, Arise Awake and Stop Not until
Freedom is Restored !!! :
Seeds of Cyber Terrorism ?..or Disobedience?
:
Proposal for Blocking Yahoo and Hotmail by Indian ISPs
Naavi
May 18, 2012
[Comments welcome]
