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==History== | ==History== | ||
The 2007-08 annual report of the [[Department of Telecommunications]] (DoT) stated that the requirements for the CMS project had been finalized by the [[Telecommunication Engineering Center]] (TEC), after deliberations with security agencies, and that the first phase of the project, covering the "national capital", was scheduled to be implemented by 31 March 2008. It also stated that C-DOT had finalized the "scope, architecture and dimensioning of the network".<ref>http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/English%20annual%20report%202007-08_0.pdf</ref> The 2008-09 annual report stated that proof of concept had been demonstrated and that R&D activities for the project were "ongoing".<ref>http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_English_2008-09_0.pdf</ref> The Government of India budgeted $150 million for the system as part of its [[12th Five Year Plan (Government of India)|12th Five Year Plan]], with [[Cabinet of India|Cabinet]] ultimately approving a higher amount.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The CMS was fast-tracked following the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]. However, it faced repeated delays and missed the original deployment deadline of the end of 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-27/news/40233413_1_surveillance-system-government-surveillance-business-climate |title=Beyond Snowden: US surveillance system a useful model for democratic, terror-hit India|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-06-27 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> and the next deadline of March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|agency=PTI|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/telecom-central-monitoring-system-in-10-circles-by-december-914389.html |title=Telecom Central Monitoring System in 10 circles by December |publisher=Firstpost |date=2013-06-28 |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref> | The 2007-08 annual report of the [[Department of Telecommunications]] (DoT) stated that the requirements for the CMS project had been finalized by the [[Telecommunication Engineering Center]] (TEC), after deliberations with security agencies, and that the first phase of the project, covering the "national capital", was scheduled to be implemented by 31 March 2008. It also stated that C-DOT had finalized the "scope, architecture and dimensioning of the network".<ref>http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/English%20annual%20report%202007-08_0.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The 2008-09 annual report stated that proof of concept had been demonstrated and that R&D activities for the project were "ongoing".<ref>http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR_English_2008-09_0.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The Government of India budgeted $150 million for the system as part of its [[12th Five Year Plan (Government of India)|12th Five Year Plan]], with [[Cabinet of India|Cabinet]] ultimately approving a higher amount.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> The CMS was fast-tracked following the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]]. However, it faced repeated delays and missed the original deployment deadline of the end of 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-27/news/40233413_1_surveillance-system-government-surveillance-business-climate |title=Beyond Snowden: US surveillance system a useful model for democratic, terror-hit India|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-06-27 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> and the next deadline of March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|agency=PTI|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/telecom-central-monitoring-system-in-10-circles-by-december-914389.html |title=Telecom Central Monitoring System in 10 circles by December |publisher=Firstpost |date=2013-06-28 |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref> | ||
CMS was first announced publicly in a press release by the [[Press Information Bureau]] (PIB), dated 26 November 2009.<ref name="firstpost1">{{cite web|last=Raza |first=Danish |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-central-monitoring-system-security-cant-come-at-cost-of-privacy-944475.html |title=India's Central Monitoring System: Security can't come at cost of privacy |publisher=Firstpost |date=2013-07-10 |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref> The release lacked details on the system but stated that CMS was a "centralized system to monitor communications on mobile phones, landlines and the internet in the country" and claimed that the project would "strengthen the security environment in the country".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=54679 |title=Press Information Bureau English Releases |publisher=Pib.nic.in |date=2009-11-26 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> CMS was mentioned by [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]] [[Kapil Sibal]] on 1 January 2011, while addressing the media to announce his 100-day agenda for the Indian telecom sector. Sibal mentioned it in passing, telling the media that "Steps will be taken to establish the Central Monitoring System which will facilitate and prevent misuse of lawful interception facility."<ref>{{cite web|author=Sandeep Joshi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1023117.ece |title=100-day plan: Sibal promises transparency in telecom sector |work=The Hindu |date=2011-01-01 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|agency=PTI |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-01/india/28373595_1_spectrum-telecom-minister-new-telecom-policy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204614/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-01/india/28373595_1_spectrum-telecom-minister-new-telecom-policy |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-10-29 |title=Govt to come out with new telecom policy: Sibal |date=2011-01-01 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> The announcement was described as "muted" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' [[Time (magazine)|magazine]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Trivedi |first=Anjani |url=http://world.time.com/2013/06/30/in-india-prism-like-surveillance-slips-under-the-radar/ |title=In India, Prism-like Surveillance Slips Under the Radar |publisher=World.time.com |date=2013-06-30 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | CMS was first announced publicly in a press release by the [[Press Information Bureau]] (PIB), dated 26 November 2009.<ref name="firstpost1">{{cite web|last=Raza |first=Danish |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-central-monitoring-system-security-cant-come-at-cost-of-privacy-944475.html |title=India's Central Monitoring System: Security can't come at cost of privacy |publisher=Firstpost |date=2013-07-10 |accessdate=2013-07-15}}</ref> The release lacked details on the system but stated that CMS was a "centralized system to monitor communications on mobile phones, landlines and the internet in the country" and claimed that the project would "strengthen the security environment in the country".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=54679 |title=Press Information Bureau English Releases |publisher=Pib.nic.in |date=2009-11-26 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> CMS was mentioned by [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Minister of Communications and Information Technology]] [[Kapil Sibal]] on 1 January 2011, while addressing the media to announce his 100-day agenda for the Indian telecom sector. Sibal mentioned it in passing, telling the media that "Steps will be taken to establish the Central Monitoring System which will facilitate and prevent misuse of lawful interception facility."<ref>{{cite web|author=Sandeep Joshi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1023117.ece |title=100-day plan: Sibal promises transparency in telecom sector |work=The Hindu |date=2011-01-01 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|agency=PTI |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-01/india/28373595_1_spectrum-telecom-minister-new-telecom-policy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204614/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-01/india/28373595_1_spectrum-telecom-minister-new-telecom-policy |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-10-29 |title=Govt to come out with new telecom policy: Sibal |date=2011-01-01 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> The announcement was described as "muted" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' [[Time (magazine)|magazine]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Trivedi |first=Anjani |url=http://world.time.com/2013/06/30/in-india-prism-like-surveillance-slips-under-the-radar/ |title=In India, Prism-like Surveillance Slips Under the Radar |publisher=World.time.com |date=2013-06-30 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | ||
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On 15 October 2012, ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' reported that the [[National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) had requested for authorization to access CMS once it became functional. The paper also stated that a pilot trial was underway.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yadav |first=Yatish |url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1300012.ece |title=NIA seeks Central Monitoring System to tap phones |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2012-10-15 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> ''Mint'' cited an internal note from the DoT dated 10 June 2013, which reportedly said that CMS had "undergone successful pilots" and was "likely to be commissioned" by the end of 2013.<ref name="livemint1">{{cite web|author=Leslie D’Monte & Joji Thomas Philip |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/pR5zc8hCD1sn3NWQwa7cQJ/The-new-surveillance-state.html |title=How the world's largest democracy is preparing to snoop on its citizens |publisher=Livemint |date=2013-07-03 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> The government began rolling out the CMS, state by state, in April 2013.<ref name="reuters1"/> | On 15 October 2012, ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' reported that the [[National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) had requested for authorization to access CMS once it became functional. The paper also stated that a pilot trial was underway.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yadav |first=Yatish |url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article1300012.ece |title=NIA seeks Central Monitoring System to tap phones |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2012-10-15 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> ''Mint'' cited an internal note from the DoT dated 10 June 2013, which reportedly said that CMS had "undergone successful pilots" and was "likely to be commissioned" by the end of 2013.<ref name="livemint1">{{cite web|author=Leslie D’Monte & Joji Thomas Philip |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/pR5zc8hCD1sn3NWQwa7cQJ/The-new-surveillance-state.html |title=How the world's largest democracy is preparing to snoop on its citizens |publisher=Livemint |date=2013-07-03 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> The government began rolling out the CMS, state by state, in April 2013.<ref name="reuters1"/> | ||
In July 2013, [[BlackBerry (company)|BlackBerry]] granted the Indian Government access to its messaging services.<ref name="indiatimes5">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-10/news/40492683_1_blackberry-services-blackberry-messenger-interception-solution |title=Government, BlackBerry end dispute over interception of BB devices|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-07-10 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> It is presumed that CMS will be used to monitor these services,<ref>{{cite web|author=Phil Muncaster |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/11/blackberry_gives_indian_spooks_access/ |title=BlackBerry gives Indian spooks BBM and BIS access |publisher=The Register |date=2013-07-11 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> although it may be done through C-DOT's [[Lawful Intercept and Monitoring]] (LIM) system.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/india-spies-on-its-internet-users-too |title= | In July 2013, [[BlackBerry (company)|BlackBerry]] granted the Indian Government access to its messaging services.<ref name="indiatimes5">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-10/news/40492683_1_blackberry-services-blackberry-messenger-interception-solution |title=Government, BlackBerry end dispute over interception of BB devices|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-07-10 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> It is presumed that CMS will be used to monitor these services,<ref>{{cite web|author=Phil Muncaster |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/07/11/blackberry_gives_indian_spooks_access/ |title=BlackBerry gives Indian spooks BBM and BIS access |publisher=The Register |date=2013-07-11 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> although it may be done through C-DOT's [[Lawful Intercept and Monitoring]] (LIM) system.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/india-spies-on-its-internet-users-too |title=India Spies on Its Internet Users Too | Motherboard |access-date=2013-09-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911134738/http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/india-spies-on-its-internet-users-too |archive-date=2013-09-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It will make two amendments to the Indian Telegraph Act to allow for intercepting and monitoring through the CMS and to allow "collecting, storing and analyzing message pertaining to information of any nature by the Telegraph Authority".<ref>{{cite web |author=tech2 News Staff |url=http://tech2.in.com/news/general/norms-for-interception-of-calls-and-messages-expected-to-be-finalised-by-august-end/907410 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714224729/http://tech2.in.com/news/general/norms-for-interception-of-calls-and-messages-expected-to-be-finalised-by-august-end/907410 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-14 |title=Norms for interception of calls and messages expected to be finalised by August end |publisher=Tech2.in.com |date=2013-07-10 |accessdate=2013-07-14 }}</ref> | ||
== Interception Authorization == | == Interception Authorization == | ||
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==Media reaction== | ==Media reaction== | ||
''[[Business Standard]]'' criticised the fact that a warrant need not be obtained.<ref>{{cite | ''[[Business Standard]]'' criticised the fact that a warrant need not be obtained.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-s-digital-battleground-113062101013_1.html|title=India's digital battleground|last=Shukla|first=Ajai|date=21 June 2013|work=[[Business Standard]]|accessdate=7 December 2014}}</ref> ''[[Firstpost]]'' criticised the lack of information from the government about the project and the lack of a legal recourse for a citizen whose personal details were misused or leaked.<ref name="firstpost1"/> ''[[The Hindu]]'' also criticised the lack of information available about the system.<ref name="thehindu2">{{cite web|author=Deepa Kurup |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/in-the-dark-about-indias-prism/article4817903.ece |title=In the dark about 'India's Prism' |work=The Hindu |date=2013-06-16 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | ||
''[[The Indian Express]]'' criticised the introduction of the system in the absence of accountability and "any reasonably effective safeguards" to protect privacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/way-to-watch/1133737/0 |title=Way to watch |publisher=Indian Express |date=2013-06-26 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' criticised the introduction of CMS without public debate or Parliamentary accountability. The paper also felt that Indian privacy laws were "lax",<ref name="indiatimes3"/> and "far worse than American law on these matters".<ref name="indiatimes3">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-13/news/39952596_1_nsa-india-us-homeland-security-dialogue-national-security-letters |title=Indian surveillance laws & practices far worse than US|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-06-18 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | ''[[The Indian Express]]'' criticised the introduction of the system in the absence of accountability and "any reasonably effective safeguards" to protect privacy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/way-to-watch/1133737/0 |title=Way to watch |publisher=Indian Express |date=2013-06-26 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'' criticised the introduction of CMS without public debate or Parliamentary accountability. The paper also felt that Indian privacy laws were "lax",<ref name="indiatimes3"/> and "far worse than American law on these matters".<ref name="indiatimes3">{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-13/news/39952596_1_nsa-india-us-homeland-security-dialogue-national-security-letters |title=Indian surveillance laws & practices far worse than US|publisher=The Economic Times |date=2013-06-18 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | ||
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Meenakshi Ganguly, the [[South Asia]] director of [[Human Rights Watch]], felt that the move toward extensive "surveillance capabilities enabled by digital communications" suggests that governments are now "casting the net wide, enabling intrusions into private lives". Ganguly also felt that increasing surveillance around the world was an attempt by governments to "grapple with the power of social media that can enable spontaneous street protests".<ref name="autogenerated1"/> | Meenakshi Ganguly, the [[South Asia]] director of [[Human Rights Watch]], felt that the move toward extensive "surveillance capabilities enabled by digital communications" suggests that governments are now "casting the net wide, enabling intrusions into private lives". Ganguly also felt that increasing surveillance around the world was an attempt by governments to "grapple with the power of social media that can enable spontaneous street protests".<ref name="autogenerated1"/> | ||
[[Praveen Swami]], strategic affairs editor of [[Network 18|Network18]], felt that "There is also the argument that the threat of a cyber attack is deliberately overplayed ... it is far-fetched. So there is a need for balance".<ref name="business-standard1">{{cite | [[Praveen Swami]], strategic affairs editor of [[Network 18|Network18]], felt that "There is also the argument that the threat of a cyber attack is deliberately overplayed ... it is far-fetched. So there is a need for balance".<ref name="business-standard1">{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/india-s-digital-battleground-113062101013_1.html |title=India's digital battleground |newspaper=Business Standard India |publisher=Business Standard |date=2013-06-21 |accessdate=2013-07-14|last1=Shukla |first1=Ajai }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Cynthia Wong |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/06/07/india-new-monitoring-system-threatens-rights |title=India: New Monitoring System Threatens Rights |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=2013-06-07 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> Pawan Sinha, a human rights teacher at Delhi University, believes that bypassing courts was "really very dangerous" and could be "easily misused".<ref name="reuters1"/> | ||
Anja Kovacs of the Internet Democracy Project, and a fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Internet and Society, felt that there was "a growing discrepancy and power imbalance between citizens and the state" and that in the Indian scenario, there were "no checks and balances in place".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Trivedi |first=Anjani |url=http://world.time.com/2013/06/30/in-india-prism-like-surveillance-slips-under-the-radar/#ixzz2YpWhRsrB |title=In India, Prism-like Surveillance Slips Under the Radar |publisher=Time |date=2013-06-30 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | Anja Kovacs of the Internet Democracy Project, and a fellow at the New Delhi-based Centre for Internet and Society, felt that there was "a growing discrepancy and power imbalance between citizens and the state" and that in the Indian scenario, there were "no checks and balances in place".<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=Trivedi |first=Anjani |url=http://world.time.com/2013/06/30/in-india-prism-like-surveillance-slips-under-the-radar/#ixzz2YpWhRsrB |title=In India, Prism-like Surveillance Slips Under the Radar |publisher=Time |date=2013-06-30 |accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref> | ||
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| work = The Times of India | | work = The Times of India | ||
| accessdate = 2013-07-14 | | accessdate = 2013-07-14 | ||
}}</ref> Cyberlaw specialist Pavan Duggal stated that the "system is capable of tremendous abuse" and "even legitimate conversations could end up being tracked".<ref name="indiatimes2"/> Mishi Choudhary, executive director, Software Freedom and Law Center stated that, "There has been no public consultation on this issue. No one knows what they have proposed or whether it has parliamentary mandate. We don't even have empirical data on phone tapping from the government. It's like a black hole."<ref name="articles.timesofindia.indiatimes"> | }}</ref> Cyberlaw specialist Pavan Duggal stated that the "system is capable of tremendous abuse" and "even legitimate conversations could end up being tracked".<ref name="indiatimes2"/> Mishi Choudhary, executive director, Software Freedom and Law Center stated that, "There has been no public consultation on this issue. No one knows what they have proposed or whether it has parliamentary mandate. We don't even have empirical data on phone tapping from the government. It's like a black hole."<ref name="articles.timesofindia.indiatimes">{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-12/security/39203096_1_cms-interception-and-monitoring-surveillance |title=Govt's secret snooping arm has cyber activists worried - Times of India |website=articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203052506/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-12/security/39203096_1_cms-interception-and-monitoring-surveillance |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
Human rights activist Neingulo Krome described CMS as "a threat to democracy" and also felt that the agencies involved could "soon challenge the authority of the government itself".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/97294.html |title=Nagaland Latest & Breaking News, Northeast & India News - Mother India IS Watching You |publisher=The Morung Express |date=2013-06-20 |accessdate=2013-07-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624061330/http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/97294.html |archivedate=2013-06-24 }}</ref> | Human rights activist Neingulo Krome described CMS as "a threat to democracy" and also felt that the agencies involved could "soon challenge the authority of the government itself".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/97294.html |title=Nagaland Latest & Breaking News, Northeast & India News - Mother India IS Watching You |publisher=The Morung Express |date=2013-06-20 |accessdate=2013-07-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624061330/http://www.morungexpress.com/frontpage/97294.html |archivedate=2013-06-24 }}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[DRDO NETRA]] | * [[DRDO NETRA]] | ||
* [[NATGRID]] | * [[NATGRID]] | ||
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[[Category:2013 establishments in India]] | [[Category:2013 establishments in India]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Counterterrorism in India]] | ||
[[Category:Espionage]] | [[Category:Espionage]] | ||
[[Category:Human rights]] | [[Category:Human rights]] | ||