License to intercept mails triggers jitters

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Well, if not in the real world, at least in the virtual world each one of us has a secret corner on the Internet. But what if someone gets a permit to sneak a peek into our inbox? Security agencies will soon be equipped to intercept emails and cyber chats in real time through the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS). While this is a move to put a check on terrorist threats via email, cyber experts say that this could mean that every cyber activity of ours will be watched.

“We have to realise that any expectation of privacy from electronic ecosystem must evaporate,” warns cyber expert Pavan Duggal. “Whatever activity you do on the Internet is capable of being intercepted, read and monitored,” he adds.
After the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, Pavan says the hands of the police needed strengthening, and the process of getting web access was made easier for security agencies. “Let us put it this way, if the police comes to search your house, they need to have a search warrant, but if they need to monitor your account they can go ahead with it without much hassle,” he explains. “The present move, however, will sure generate a debate pertaining to the issue of privacy,” adds Pavan.
The typical day for 23-year-old Rimmi Sharma starts with checking her email, moving on chatting with friends on the Internet. How does Rimmi, who belongs to the Internet generation, take the news?
“It makes one sceptical, and a little wary before punching the keys. But then what has to be done, has to be done. And more so if it is for the security of the country,” she says.
According to young cyber expert, ethical hacker and author Ankit Fadia, the system is already operational in many countries globally, it’s not a surprise that India is joining the bandwagon too. “But to be honest, there is so much data being sent and received on the Internet that government won’t really be reading everybody’s communication. It will be more on a need to know basis, in case of any suspicion. Also, for many years now, the government has been monitoring our calls and SMSes, so this was bound to happen,” says Ankit.
“Hopefully, the system requires the government to get a court order or reasonable reason to spy on somebody,” he adds.
Pavan also warns that the “license to intercept email is prone to misuse”. “It can be abused to target people for personal or political gains,” he says, adding that as of now, for a non-geek there is no way of finding out that someone is watching his email.
Aseem Sachdeva, 18, takes the news calmly. “It won’t be that easy for anyone to keep an eye on millions of email accounts. And who doesn’t know the pace of getting things done in our country. I am sure that this system is going to take off anytime soon. I don’t see a reason to panic when I am not doing anything wrong,” he says.