Author
Maria Xynou
34 items.
25 Feb 2015
Blog post
Right to Information (RTI) Requests to BSNL and MTNL Regarding Security EquipmentAs part of research, on July 2, 2013, the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) had sent Right to Information (RTI) requests to two of the largest internet service providers (ISPs) in India: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and …
28 Feb 2014
Blog post
Big Democracy, Big Surveillance: India's Surveillance StateIn India, surveillance is on the rise by the state to tackle crime and terrorism, and private companies are eager to meet the demand.
30 Jan 2014
Blog post
India's Central Monitoring System (CMS): Something to Worry About?In this article, Maria Xynou presents new information about India's controversial Central Monitoring System (CMS) based on official documents which were shared with the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS). Read this article and gain an …
27 Jan 2014
Blog post
Interview with Mathew Thomas from the Say No to UID campaign - UID Court CasesThe Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) recently interviewed Mathew Thomas from the Say No to UID campaign about his ongoing efforts to challenge the UID scheme legally in the Bangalore High Court and Supreme Court of India. Read this …
18 Dec 2013
Blog post
Brochures from Expos on Smart Cards, e-Security, RFID & Biometrics in IndiaElectronics Today organised a series of expos on smart cards, e-security, RFID and biometric technology in Delhi on 16-18 October 2013. The Centre for Internet and Society is sharing the brochures it collected from these public expos for …
19 Nov 2013
Blog post
Why 'Facebook' is More Dangerous than the Government Spying on YouIn this article, Maria Xynou looks at state and corporate surveillance in India and analyzes why our "choice" to hand over our personal data can potentially be more harmful than traditional, top-down, state surveillance. Read this article …
6 Nov 2013
Blog post
Interview with Caspar Bowden - Privacy Advocate and former Chief Privacy Adviser at MicrosoftMaria Xynou recently interviewed Caspar Bowden, an internationally renowned privacy advocate and former Chief Privacy Adviser at Microsoft. Read this exciting interview and gain an insight on India's UID and CMS schemes, on the export of …
25 Oct 2013
Blog post
Spy Files 3: WikiLeaks Sheds More Light On The Global Surveillance IndustryIn this article, Maria Xynou looks at WikiLeaks' latest Spy Files and examines the legality of India's surveillance technologies, as well as their potential connection with India's Central Monitoring System (CMS) and implications on human …
23 Oct 2013
Blog post
Interview with Dr. Alexander Dix - Berlin Data Protection and Freedom of Information CommissionerMaria Xynou recently interviewed Berlin's Data Protection and Freedom of Information Commissioner: Dr. Alexander Dix. View this interview and gain an insight on recommendations for better data protection in India!
18 Oct 2013
Blog post
Interview with the Tactical Technology Collective on Privacy and SurveillanceThe Centre for Internet and Society recently interviewed Anne Roth from the Tactical Technology Collective in Berlin. View this interview and gain an insight on why we should all "have something to hide"!
17 Oct 2013
Blog post
Interview with Bruce Schneier - Internationally Renowned Security TechnologistMaria Xynou recently interviewed Bruce Schneier on privacy and surveillance. View this interview and gain an insight on why we should all "have something to hide"!
15 Oct 2013
Blog post
Interview with Big Brother Watch on Privacy and SurveillanceMaria Xynou interviewed Emma Carr, the Deputy Director of Big Brother Watch, on privacy and surveillance. View this interview and gain an insight on why we should all "have something to hide"!
9 Oct 2013
Blog post
The India Privacy Monitor MapThe Centre for Internet and Society has started the first Privacy Watch in India! Check out our map which includes data on the UID, NPR and CCTNS schemes, as well as on the installation of CCTV cameras and the use of drones throughout the …
13 Aug 2013
Blog post
FinFisher in India and the Myth of Harmless MetadataIn this article, Maria Xynou argues that metadata is anything but harmless, especially since FinFisher — one of the world's most controversial types of spyware — uses metadata to target individuals.
24 Jul 2013
Blog post
Report on the 5th Privacy Round Table meetingThis report entails an overview of the discussions and recommendations of the fifth Privacy Round Table in Calcutta, on 13th July 2013.
19 Jul 2013
Blog post
Interview with Mr. Reijo Aarnio - Finnish Data Protection OmbudsmanMaria Xynou recently interviewed Mr. Reijo Aarnio, the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman, at the CIS' 5th Privacy Round Table. View this interview and gain an insight on recommendations for better data protection in India!
27 Jun 2013
Blog post
Open Letter to Prevent the Installation of RFID tags in VehiclesThe Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) has sent this open letter to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) to urge them not to intall RFID tags in vehicles in India.
25 Jun 2013
Blog post
Report on the 4th Privacy Round Table meetingThis report entails an overview of the discussions and recommendations of the fourth Privacy Round Table in Mumbai, on 15th June 2013.
24 Jun 2013
Blog post
Interview with the Citizen Lab on Internet Filtering in IndiaMaria Xynou recently interviewed Masashi Crete-Nishihata and Jakub Dalek from the Citizen Lab on internet filtering in India. View this interview and gain an insight on Netsweeper and FinFisher!
20 Jun 2013
Blog post
Interview with Mr. Billy Hawkes - Irish Data Protection CommissionerMaria Xynou recently interviewed Mr. Billy Hawkes, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner, at the CIS´ 4th Privacy Round Table meeting. View this interview and gain an insight on recommendations for data protection in India!
13 Jun 2013
Blog post
India Subject to NSA Dragnet Surveillance! No Longer a Hypothesis — It is Now Officially ConfirmedAs of last week, it is officially confirmed that the metadata of everyone´s communications is under the NSA´s microscope. In fact, the leaked data shows that India is one of the countries which is under NSA surveillance the most!
21 May 2013
Blog post
Report on the 3rd Privacy Round Table meetingThis report entails an overview of the discussions and recommendations of the third Privacy Round Table meeting in Chennai, on 18th May 2013.
14 May 2013
Blog post
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD 2013) - CIS panelInterested in understanding the importance of accessibility and how technology can become more accessible by persons with disabilities? Read this post on the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)!
2 May 2013
Blog post
The Surveillance Industry in India: At Least 76 Companies Aiding Our Watchers!Maria Xynou is conducting research on surveillance technology companies operating in India. So far, 76 companies have been detected which are currently producing and selling different types of surveillance technology. This post entails …
24 Apr 2013
Blog post
Report on the 2nd Privacy Round Table meetingThis post entails a report on the second Privacy Round Table meeting which took place on 20th April 2013.
22 Apr 2013
Blog post
Report on the 1st Privacy Round Table meetingThis report entails an overview of the discussions and recommendations of the first Privacy Round Table meeting in New Delhi, on 13th April 2013.
8 Apr 2013
Blog post
India's 'Big Brother': The Central Monitoring System (CMS)In this post, Maria Xynou looks at India´s Central Monitoring System (CMS) project and examines whether it can target individuals´ communications data, regardless of whether they are involved in illegal activity.
27 Mar 2013
Blog post
Microsoft releases its first report on data requests by law enforcement agencies around the worldIn this post, the Centre for Internet and Society presents Microsoft´s report on law enforcement requests, with a focus on data requested by Indian law enforcement agencies.
26 Mar 2013
Blog post
Driving in the Surveillance Society: Cameras, RFID tags and Black Boxes...In this post, Maria Xynou looks at red light cameras, RFID tags and black boxes used to monitor vehicles in India.
18 Mar 2013
Blog post
Workshop on the Unique Identity Number (UID), the National Population Register (NPR) and Governance: What will happen to our data?On March 2nd, 2013, the Centre for Internet and Society and the Say No to UID campaign organized a workshop to discuss the present state of the UID and NPR schemes. Some of the questions which were addressed included ´How do the UID and NPR …