Blog

First in a series on technology businesses and human rights, this piece examines human rights violations as a business risk. Upcoming articles can be accessed here, here and here. Tech companies have a recurring tryst with human rights. Each new technology can be a disruption to the way we live. The impact of these disruptions onRead more

Satellite broadband is increasingly being discussed as a potential game-changer for broadband access in India, with major interest expressed by both Indian and global companies. This post provides an overview of the potential regulatory gaps and issues in India’s current spectrum and telecom licensing requirements, and how they could hinder the deployment of satellite broadbandRead more

This post provides an introduction to Internet Exchanges in India and examines the regulatory issues plaguing the sector. We also look at a recent regulatory dispute currently in the Delhi High Court and discuss its importance.  Background The internet makes it easy for us to send a message from one corner of the world toRead more

This post provides a brief overview of the draft National Geospatial Policy, 2021 released recently by the Department of Science and Technology of the Indian government, and discusses our comments on the draft policy. In early May 2021, the Department of Science and Technology (“DST”) released a draft National Geospatial Policy (“draft NGP”) for comments.Read more

This post examines the changes brought by the Geospatial Guidelines, 2021, and what they mean for industries relying on the use of geospatial/digital mapping data. You can also read our comments on the draft National Geospatial Policy 2021 here. Introduction: Better maps have been touted as the key to unlocking India’s digital economy[1], and accordingRead more

 The Abu Dhabi Global Market released the Electronic Transactions Regulations in September 2020, to recognize the use of electronic signatures, contracts and records. We, along with Arushi Goel (ex-Judge, India), a legal advisor based in the United Arab Emirates, submitted comments to the Abu Dhabi Global Market on the aforesaid regulations. We are pleased to note thatRead more

In June 2020, the MEITY banned 59 mobile applications based out of China. Prateek Bagaria from Singularity Legal and Anirudh Rastogi from Ikigai Law discuss the possibility of a challenge against such action under India’s bilateral investment treaty with China.   I. Background 1. On 29 June, the Indian Ministry of Electronics and IT (“MEIT”) released aRead more

Recently, the Indian Government banned 59 Chinese mobile apps citing risks to the sovereignty and integrity of India. In this piece we examine whether India would be successful in invoking the national security exemption to justify the ban, in the (unlikely) event that China were to approach the WTO. Introduction Recently, the Indian Government bannedRead more

India enacted the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) on 09 June 2000[1]. The IT Act is based on the UNCITRAL model law on e-commerce[2]. The preamble of the IT Act simply indicates that the Act is centred around affording legal recognition to transactions carried out electronically. However, the scope of the IT Act goesRead more

Over the past few years, there has been a substantial increase in parliamentary activity focused on technology related issues, especially in terms of parliamentary questions raised by Members of Parliament (“MPs”) in different sessions of Parliament of India. This was also true for the recently concluded budget session held in two phases from 31 JanuaryRead more