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After encryption controversy Government withdraws draft proposal

by IBNS 22 Sep 2015, 08:30 am

New Delhi, Sept 22 (IBNS) Following a public outcry over the possibility of infringement on privacy, the government on Tuesday announced withdrawal of the draft proposal of National Encryption Policy.

Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government is withdrawing the same to avoid any ambiguity among the users.

A new draft of the policy will be issued soon after considering all aspects to secure the internet consumers. "In view of the concerns raised, I have written to Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) to withdraw the draft, and reword it appropriately," he said.

He also added that the government backs freedom of social media. "Our government supports social media. We respect the right for expression ad articulation."

 Prasad said that the purport of the Encryption Policy relates "only to those who encrypt, not to ordinary consumers."

He also said that the policy was only a draft and not the opinion of the government. "The Draft Encryption Policy released on Monday is only a draft, and not the view of the Government . We need to acknowledge that cyberspace transactions are rising enormously." Prasad said.