Updated: September 15, 2020 6:56:24 am
Congress said the report on “Chinese digital surveillance” by Indian leaders and others is “quite disturbing” and it is important to know the extent of this surveillance, and whether there is more to it than collecting data.
Taking note of The Indian Express investigation report that a Shenzhen-based tech company with ties to the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party monitoring more than 10,000 Indian individuals and organizations in their global database of “foreign targets”, opposition members asked the government on Monday to intervene, open an investigation and take the initiative for a global dialogue.
Congress said the report on “Chinese digital surveillance” by Indian leaders and others is “quite disturbing” and it is important to know the extent of this surveillance, and whether there is more to it than collecting data. He said the development has huge implications for national security and the privacy of citizens.
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Anand Sharma, Deputy Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, told reporters: “This is very serious. We hope that the government will get to the bottom of the matter and take appropriate measures to protect the privacy of citizens’ data. This has huge implications for national security, in addition to the privacy of citizens. You need an in-depth investigation and firm action. “
Sharma is chairman of the permanent parliamentary committee on Home Affairs.
Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of Congress at Lok Sabha, said: “We want the government of India to step up its efforts in cyber security because when we confront a country like China, we confront China not only by land, sea and air, also they confront Chinese intentions in cyberspace: the government of India should not be caught sleeping. “
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“We must be aware and they must intensify their efforts. In the coming days, the government should make it clear that all the data that has been collected by Chinese agencies has not been used to manipulate policies, has not been used to obtain further intelligence on our military or on confidential information. That kind of security should come from this government, ”he said.
Former Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said it is time for the government to start a global dialogue on such threats. “If what is being reported is true, there is certainly a great sense of concern and concern,” he said.
“We found this earlier on the issue of various platforms associated with the United States that were removing and using metadata and there were a lot of issues that came up at that time. I’m not quite sure how far we got to that issue and how we resolve it. But there is a growing concern around the world, and I imagine there must be a global conversation about this, ”he said.
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Marks to maintain physical distancing are seen on the ground outside the Parliament building in New Delhi. (AP)
Referring to the military standoff with China, he said: “Right now, we can express our immediate concern with our neighbor due to the existing circumstances, but I think this is a bigger problem that needs to be handled globally, and I am sure they are fine. placed to take the initiative in this matter. The government must take the initiative for a global dialogue. “
Praveen Chakravarty, head of the congressional data and technology cell, said: “The news about Chinese digital surveillance from the leaders of India and others is quite disturbing. Most importantly, we need to know the extent of this surveillance and if there is more to it than collecting public data on people. The government has to secure the nation through a detailed investigation. “
“Similarly, the growing incidence of foreign tech companies meddling in Indian and Indian affairs is alarming. We need a law against digital surveillance drafted and promulgated soon, which will also incorporate data privacy, ”he said.
In his official reaction, the congressional communications department in charge, Randeep Surjewala, said: “If the report is true, was the Modi government aware of this serious case? Or didn’t they know they were spying on us? Why doesn’t the government protect our borders over and over again? It is necessary to send a clear message to China to prevent them from indulging in such activities. “
TMC Lok Sabha Member Saugata Roy said: “I filed a motion for postponement in Parliament today regarding this issue of the Chinese company tracking us, although I did not have the opportunity to bring it up. This is an extremely serious matter that a Chinese agency, controlled by the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, is collecting data information on all the top political leaders, senior officials, Army personnel, and top scientists. You are invading the privacy of Indian leaders’ data. Our government must raise this concern with the Chinese government. “
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Manoj Jha, RJD member Rajya Sabha and party spokesperson, said: “When we opened the newspaper this morning, we saw some of the most terrifying news in recent times. What worries me is how we are tackling these issues with China. Today, the Prime Minister made a comment that we must support our soldiers, that we do and always have. Our soldiers have never let us down. It is the diplomatic corridors that they have. With China, whether it’s along the border, from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, or in international forums, now this… The government has had a sound and sensible policy when it comes to another neighbor, Pakistan. Our question is why do we shy away from a similar robust policy for Beijing? This is very serious news. Why has the government not responded? ”.
BSP Lok Sabha member Kunwar Danish Ali said: “The investigative report published in The Indian Express is a revelation. The government of India has blind faith in Chinese companies … It is really a very dangerous situation. Our neighboring country is showing its true colors. This is the failure of the government. “
SP Rajya Sabha member Kunwar Rewati Raman Singh said: “This (the investigation) is a warning to India … We must remember that China captured a large part of Indian territory in the 1962 war … China is transgressing our territory again. How much indigenous land has been captured, the government does not tell us. “
Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister of Transportation Anil Parab told reporters: “The Union government’s job is to protect the leaders of Maharashtra. Not just Maharashtra, but all the leaders on the list must be protected by the Center. “
Vandana Chavan, NCP Rajya Sabha member, said: “The cultivation of data from Indian leaders and citizens is a very serious concern and the feeling now is that all of our data may be compromised. This is nothing short of cyber warfare and a problem that the government must take very seriously and address. “
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