New Delhi, December 21: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday issued an order to bring all computers under its watch. The government authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor, and decrypt any information transmitted, received or stored in any computer. These agencies are Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation; National Investigation Agency, Cabinet Secretariat (R&AW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (For service areas of Jammu & Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

However, the opposition lashed out at the government for issuing the order. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury raised questions on the order. He tweeted, “Why is every Indian being treated like a criminal? This order by a govt wanting to snoop on every citizen is unconstitutional and in breach of the telephone tapping guidelines, the Privacy Judgement and the Aadhaar judgement.” Cybersecurity Steps: MHA Introduce ‘A Handbook for Students on Cyber Safety’ to Aware Students & Adolescents About Online Crimes & Threats.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also slammed the government. He took to Twitter to criticise the order. He tweeted, “Modi has used a simple Government Order to permit our national agencies to snoop on our communications. Who knew that this is what they meant when they said ‘ghar ghar Modi’. George Orwell’s Big Brother is here &  welcome to 1984.” Google Cloud Expands Partnership with Cybersecurity Company Palo Alto Networks.

The MHA issued an order under 69 (1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The act authorised the central government to direct any agency to decrypt information from any computer. As per the order, computer users or service providers are required to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies. It also invites seven-year imprisonment and fine if anybody fails to adhere by the order.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2018 10:44 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).