Cyber-policing or cyber-snooping? Telangana’s push for digital forensics tools raises concerns

Synopsis: The Telangana government has issued a tender for advanced cybercrime investigation software, including tools for digital forensics, mobile data extraction and real-time social media monitoring, ostensibly to strengthen policing. But the move, coming amid growing concerns over the Congress administration’s crackdown on dissent on social media, has raised concerns over the tools’ potential for misuse to curb free speech and called for judicial oversight.

The Telangana Technology Services Ltd (TGTS), a state owned company, has issued a limited tender notification for the procurement and installation of advanced cybercrime investigation software tools for the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau, Hyderabad.

The tender, dated 18 August, invites bids from experienced vendors for specia