Bangalore's Cyber-cafe Crackdown

Excerpts from the article follow:

"Officials of India's first cyber-crime cell, headquartered in the hi-tech capital of Bangalore, will oversee a law that keeps a watch on internet users as a security measure.

Internet cafes will soon have to keep a log book carrying details of users.

If a user does not carry an identity card, the cyber-cafe owner is authorised to photograph the person using a web camera...

'We are not interested with what they are doing. This is only to ensure the identity of the browser,' says Dr [P] Ravindranath [of the cyber-crime branch].

Authorities say most of India's hate and obscene email emerges from internet centres, which are growing by their thousands across India.

Deputy superintendent of police, Chandramohan Singh, estimates that in Bangalore alone there could be 5,000 internet parlours...

Cyber cafes that do not comply with the new laws are not only liable to be fined $550 but also stand to lose their licence...

...Ashish Saboo, president of the Association of Public Internet Access Providers, opposes the new rules.

'Such rules do not observe the standards of a democracy in protecting personal freedoms. The fight against terrorism and cyber crime should not lead to systematic monitoring of internet users.

'Can we depend on the cyber-cafe operators' capability to safeguard the data from being misused or stolen?'

Mr Saboo says he fears internet users will be deterred from using cyber cafes and that up to half could close."