Author
Sunil Abraham
93 items.
21 Jan 2013
Blog post
TV versus Social Media: The Rights and WrongsFor most ordinary Netizens, everyday speech on social media has as much impact as graffiti in a toilet, and therefore employing the 'principle of equivalence' will result in overregulation of new media.
5 Dec 2012
Blog post
Online Censorship: How Government should Approach Regulation of SpeechWhy is there a constant brouhaha in India about online censorship? What must be done to address this?
26 Sep 2012
Blog post
The Five Monkeys & Ice-cold WaterThe Indian government provides leadership, both domestically and internationally, when it comes to access to knowledge.
26 Aug 2012
Blog post
To regulate Net intermediaries or not is the questionGiven the disruption to public order caused by the mass exodus of North-Eastern Indians from several cities, the government has had for the first time in many years, a legitimate case to crackdown on Internet intermediaries and their users.
24 Aug 2012
Blog post
Censoring the Internet: A brief manualBlocking websites on the Internet should be proportionate to harm they intend. However, the government of India's approach is against the principles of natural justice.
17 Jul 2012
Blog post
Open letter to Hillary Clinton on Internet FreedomLast month I wrote an open letter to Hillary Clinton. It was based on a presentation I that I made during a panel discussion at a Google sponsored conference titled Internet at Liberty 2012 in Washington DC on May 24, 2012.
24 Jun 2012
Blog post
Unlicensed Spectrum Policy Brief for Government of IndiaCentre for Internet & Society and the Ford Foundation are delighted to bring you the Unlicensed Spectrum Policy brief for Government of India. The policy brief authored by Satya N Gupta, Sunil Abraham and Yelena Gyulkhandanyan contains an …
15 Jun 2012
Blog post
ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ನಿರ್ಬಂಧಗಳ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ತಂತ್ರಾಂಶ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾನದ ಸ್ಥಾಪಕ ರಿಚರ್ಡ್ ಸ್ಟಾಲ್ಮನ್ ಡಿಆರ್ಎಂ (ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ರೈಟ್ಸ್ ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜ್ಮೆಂಟ್) ಎಂಬ ಪರಿಕಲ್ಪನೆಯನ್ನು `ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ರೆಸ್ಟ್ರಿಕ್ಷನ್ ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜ್ಮೆಂಟ್` ಎಂದು ಬಿಡಿಸಿಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅವರ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇದು ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಯಲ್ಲ. ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ …
15 Jun 2012
Blog post
Copyright Amendment: Bad, but Could Have Been Much WorseThe changes to the Copyright Act protect the disabled - but are restrictive about cover versions and web freedom, writes Sunil Abraham in this article published in the Business Standard on June 10, 2012.
11 Apr 2012
Blog post
Two Tales of Transparency!In a single week, two global Internet giants announce transparency efforts that have direct implications for privacy and free speech.
8 Mar 2012
Blog post
Patented GamesSome prefer Steve Jobs, patron saint of perfection, others prefer Nicholas Negroponte, messiah of the masses. While Mr Jobs may be guilty of contributing to the digital divide, Mr Negroponte may have contributed to bridging it with his …
3 Feb 2012
Blog post
Do we need the Aadhar scheme?"Decentralisation and privacy are preconditions for security. Digital signatures don’t require centralised storage and are much more resilient in terms of security", Sunil Abraham in the Business Standard on 1 February 2012.
31 Jan 2012
Blog post
Sense and CensorshipThe Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) bills, at the US House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, appear to enforce property rights, but are, in fact, trade bills. This article by Sunil Abraham was …
23 Jan 2012
Blog post
The Quixotic Fight to Clean up the WebThe ongoing attempt to pre-screen online content won’t change anything. It will only drive netizens into the arms of criminals, writes Sunil Abraham in this article published in Tehelka Magazine, Vol 9, Issue 04, Dated 28 Jan 2012.
26 Dec 2011
Blog post
US Clampdown Worse than the Great FirewallIf you thought China’s Internet censorship was evil, think again. American moves to clean up the Web could hurt global surfers, writes Sunil Abraham in this article published in Tehelka, Volume 8, Issue 50, 17 December 2011.
12 Dec 2011
Blog post
That’s the unkindest cut, Mr SibalThere’s Kolaveri-di on the Internet over Kapil Sibal’s diktat to social media sites to prescreen users’ posts. That diktat goes far beyond the restrictions placed on our freedom of expression by the IT Act. But, says Sunil Abraham of the …
6 Dec 2011
News
India’s dreams of web censorshipIf you are offended by this post, please contact Kapil Sibal, India’s telecoms and IT minister, and he will make sure it is promptly taken down.
2 Sep 2011
Blog post
Photocopying the pastThere is no single correct position when it comes to intellectual property or IP. In fact, there are at least five correct positions that you could possibly adopt based on who you are — a pro-creator position, a pro-entrepreneur position, a …
22 Jun 2011
Blog post
Privacy and Security Can Co-existThe blanket surveillance the Centre seeks is not going to make India more secure, writes Sunil Abraham in this article published in Mail Today on June 21, 2011.
9 Jun 2011
Blog post
Snooping Can Lead to Data AbuseTHE NATGRID, aiming to link databases of 21 departments and ministries for better counter-terror measures, adopts blunt policy approach, subjecting every citizen to the same level of blanket surveillance, instead of a targeted approach that …
9 Jun 2011
Blog post
Do You Want to be Watched?The new rules under the IT Act are an assault on our freedom, says Sunil Abraham in this article published in Pragati on June 8, 2011.
1 Jun 2011
Blog post
Big Brother is Watching YouThe government is massively expanding its surveillance power over law-abiding citizens and businesses, says Sunil Abraham in this article published by the Deccan Herald on June 1, 2011.
20 Apr 2011
Blog post
We are anonymous, we are legionOnline anonymity is vital for creativity and entrepreneurship on the Web, writes Sunil Abraham. The article was published in the Hindu on April 18, 2011.
25 Aug 2010
Blog post
Wherever you are, whatever you doFacebook recently launched a location-based service called Places. Privacy advocates are resenting to this new development. Sunil Abraham identifies the three prime reasons for this outcry against Facebook. The article was published in the …
13 Aug 2010
Blog post
Does the Government want to enter our homes?When rogue politicians and bureaucrats are granted unrestricted access to information then the very future of democracy and free media will be in jeopardy. In an article published in the Pune Mirror on 10 August, 2010, Sunil Abraham …
4 Jun 2010
News
Facebook, privacy and IndiaDoes Facebook's decision to open out user information and data to third party websites amount to an invasion of privacy and should users' seriously consider getting out of the site? Sunil Abraham doesn't think so.
30 Mar 2010
Blog post
Sense and censorshipSunil Abraham examines Google's crusade against censorship in China in wake of the attacks on its servers in this article published in the Indian Express.
15 Jan 2010
News
Wiki's worth, on a different turfAn Indian duo–a programmer and a mathematician–have developed a tool to expose anonymous writers and cleanse Wikipedia of rogue editors
14 Jan 2010
Blog post
When Whistle Blowers UniteLeaking corporate or government information in public interest through popular Web service providers is risky but Wikileaks.org is one option that you could try out.
21 Dec 2009
News
Newspapers should empower citizen journalismA single content-management system can be used to publish highly-targeted and customised content. Sunil Abraham, director, Centre for Internet and Society (CIS India), believes traditional newspapers should expose their primary research …