Social media communication hub policy withdrawn: Centre tells Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The proposal to create a 'Social Media Communication Hub' has been withdrawn, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday.

“Social media hub policy would be reviewed by government,” Attorney General K K Venugopal told a three-bench judge of the top court, headed by CJI Dipak Mishra.

Tweeting on the hearing, the Internet Freedom Foundation wrote:

Some more detail:
1. The case is disposed off with a recorded undertaking by the Goverment it is withdrawning the tender.
2. The government indicated it will internally study the matter.
3. Yes, risks of subsequent tenders and direct procurement with a change in specifications.

— Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) (@internetfreedom) August 3, 2018

In January this year, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry planned to set up a hub to monitor social media activities, trending news in districts and gather feedback on the Centres flagship schemes.

In a tender, the government sought bids for a firm that could provide 800 employees to monitor social media and other online communications at a micro level.

Later, the Supreme Court lashed at the government over it and observed that it will be "like creating a surveillance state". On August 24 last year, a nine-judge bench of the Apex Court declared that privacy is a constitutional right.

The judges were unanimous in their finding. In their order, the judges cited various reasons for their conclusion and said: "The right to privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 and as a part of the freedoms guaranteed by Part III of the Constitution."