India news: Activists decry AI surveillance at CJP protests

A suit has been brought alleging mass surveillance and data collection of "Cockroach" movement protestors. DW has more.

Here is a roundup of the biggest headlines from India on Tuesday, July 28:

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An internal inquiry has found that at least a dozen personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were issued pellet guns on the morning of July 20 to quell the CJP protests.

The weapons were withdrawn on July 23 after allegations that they were used to harm the protesters , according to a report by Indian newspaper The Hindustan Times.

RAF is a specialized unit within the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed to handle riots and other public disturbances across the country.

Reportedly, five people have alleged that they were hit with pellets on July 20.

The probe has quoted a CRPF inspector as saying that he didn’t issue any order to fire the pellet guns, the officials cited above added.

However, a general diary entry filed at Parliament Street police station reveals that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired two rounds from an anti-riot gun on the directions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer of the police, as reported by the Indian newspaper The Hindu .

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Activists in India have challenged Narendra Modi's government over the use of AI-powered surveillance during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest.

The controversy erupted when protesters and media reports showed a police surveillance van equipped with cameras on a telescopic mast providing a 360-degree view of the gathering.

Student activist Aishe Ghosh has asked the Delhi High Court to declare mass surveillance of protesters ​unconstitutional.

She also wants the court to order the destruction of all personal data collected during the CJP demonstration.

India has no law governing the use of facial recognition technology by police and surveillance ​at the main protest site in New Delhi was a breach of the law, activists say.

During the case's hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the Indian police conduct, saying privacy claims at a public gathering were "ironical" and the checks were "absolutely necessary" and "in legitimate state interest."

Hello! This is Midhat from the New Delhi bureau bringing you the latest news from India .

After witnessing one of the biggest protests in years, people in India woke up to the aftermath of the demonsrations as mass arrests, detentions, and government surveillance made their way to the headlines.

Activists in India have challenged the Indian government over the use of AI-powered surveillance during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.

However, some state governments have said that the charges against the protesters will be dropped.

Meanwhile, an internal probe has revealed security personnel were issued pellet guns to quell the CJP protest.