State use of intrusive surveillance tools must be lawful, says Keralam Home Minister Chennithala
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala emphasized the need for lawful and transparent use of surveillance technology during a cybersecurity conference. He highlighted the risks of intrusive spyware and called for stronger institutional oversight.
Why it matters
As digital surveillance tools become more accessible, the debate over balancing national security with individual privacy rights is becoming a critical policy issue.
Intrusive digital intelligence tools threatened not only individual privacy but also national security, Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said in Kochi on Friday (October 9), calling for safeguards, including strict legal and institutional oversight, against the technological challenges.
He was inaugurating c0c0n-2026, the annual cybersecurity conference, organised by Kerala Police in association with the Information Security Research Association.
Mr. Chennithala said that it must be ensured that the State uses intrusive surveillance tools that are lawful, necessary, and proportionate, with institutional oversight
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ahead of Inaugurating the 2026 edition of c0c0n, a cybersecurity conclave organised by the Kerala police, at Kochi on Friday. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in