Intel, security agencies authorized by Centre to monitor, decrypt ‘any’ computers

New Delhi, Dec 21: The government has authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt all the data contained in any computer system even as the opposition decried the move.

          The order was passed late Thursday night by the ‘cyber and information security’ division of the Union Home ministry.

          Ten Central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology Act for computer interception and analysis.

          The 10 agencies are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police.

          The MHA order says, the agencies have been authorised “for the purpose of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act (section 69 of the IT Act, 2000)”, the order states.

          Section 69 of the IT Act deals with the “power to issue directions for interception or monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource”.

The opposition parties led by the Congress on Friday opposed the government’s move.

The parties, including the CPI(M), the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Trinamool Congress, said they will collectively oppose the Union Home Ministry’s order issued on Thursday.

           The BJP government, opposition leaders said, was converting the country into a surveillance state.