The NATGRID, a central-level intelligence program, aims to build a mega database combining not only existing government datasets but also private datasets. This national surveillance project, in discussion since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2009, has now issued a new hiring notice for a few crucial director-level positions, indicating a potential overhaul in its operations, an effort being pushed by successive governments.
Additionally, The Hindu reported a spike in NATGRID activity, citing anonymous government officials who claimed that the system currently processes more than 45,000 data requests per month.
These developments make it necessary to revisit NATGRID’s evolution, including a brief timeline tracing events that led to the creation of this national surveillance system.
What is NATGRID?
NATGRID stands for National Intelligence Grid. It is a public–private counter-terrorism initiative of the central government that aims to combine both public and private datasets and make them available to intelligence agencies to strengthen “national security.”
The government derives its power to surveil and intercept communications, both online and telecom-based, from the archaic Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
The Act specifically states three things:
- In the name of “public emergency” or when “public safety” is at risk, the central or state government may temporarily take control of any licensed telegraph system if it believes such action is necessary.
- The government may also order certain messages to be blocked, intercepted, delayed, or shared with officials if necessary to protect India’s sovereignty, security, foreign relations, or public order, or to prevent criminal incitement. Such orders must be recorded in writing.
- However, messages from accredited press correspondents meant for publication in India cannot be stopped or intercepted unless their transmission has been specifically banned.
Who can have Access to the NATGRID Database?
On March 4, 2015, Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary told Parliament that, under the Cabinet Committee on Security mandate, NATGRID has 10 user agencies:
On March 4, 2015, the then Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary told Parliament that, under the Cabinet Committee on Security mandate, NATGRID has 10 user agencies:
- Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
- Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC)
- Directorate General of Central Excise and Intelligence (DGCEI)
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
No state agencies were granted access to the NATGRID database.
What does the Recruitment Notice Say?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified new…
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