Centre replicating 'Gujarat Snooping Model' at national level: CPI(M)

NEW DELHI: CPI(M) today hit out at the Centre over its controversial draft encryption policy, terming it as 'Gujarat Snooping Model'.

After a massive public outcry, the government today withdrew the contentious draft encryption policy that sought to make it mandatory for everyone to store all messages, including those of WhatsApp, for 90 days.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat alleged in a series of tweets how the Modi government was trying to implement the 'Gujarat Snooping Model' at national-level through the policy.

Her comments come in an apparent reference to allegations against BJP president Amit Shah of misusing his power as a state minister in 2009 for illegal surveillance of a young woman.

"Gujarat Amit Shah - Saheb snooping Model being brought in through National encryption policy. No way! #ModiDontReadMyWhatsapp

"Hands off WhatsApp. We don't want Gujarat snooping model. #ModiDontReadMyWhatsapp #SnoopingHabitsDieHard," the party quoted Karat as saying in a series of tweets.

A draft encryption policy released yesterday wanted businesses, telcos and Internet companies to store all encrypted data for 90 days in plain text which should be presented before law enforcement agencies whenever asked. Failing to do so would mean legal action as per the law.

Following public backlash over such a move, which is being seen as a threat to privacy, the government through a new addendum this morning clarified that social media sites, including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter, payment gateways, e-commerce and password-based transactions are exempt from the policy.

Hours later, the government decided to withdraw the draft encryption policy.