The tender, seeking procurement of tools for social media monitoring and data extraction, among other uses—some of which are controversial though legal—has raised concerns that the Congress-led state government could use the technology to monitor social media and curb free expression, given the Revanth Reddy administration’s reputation for cracking down on dissent.
Published Sep 26, 2025 | 4:46 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 26, 2025 | 4:46 PM
Falling foul of the ruling Congress in the state over social media posts could result in being treated as a seasoned criminal.
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 specialised digital forensic and tracking tools designed to strengthen the state’s capacity to handle cybercrime investigations.
However, the move has raised concerns that the Congress-led state government could use such technology to monitor social media and curb free expression, in light of the Revanth Reddy administration’s actions in the recent past, seen as a crackdown on dissent.
Although legal, some of the tools sought in the bid have been controversial in the past, with concerns raised over privacy violations, mass surveillance and censorship.
The use of AI and AI-generated analytics has also drawn ethical questions and has been found to be inaccurate when applied to non-Western, non-white populations, resulting in biased profiling.
The tender calls for tools that will enhance evidence handling, complaint processing, AI-automated investigations, and digital forensics for the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau.
It includes requirements for the supply and installation of the following cyber investigation tools:
Though these legally vetted tools are ostensibly meant for modern policing, their possible use against free speech cannot be ruled out.
Recent instructions by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) on 23 September to cybercrime inspectors to open history sheets or suspect sheets against those repeatedly accused in social media cases, cybercrimes, and financial fraud have already raised alarm among activists and opposition leaders.
Posting objectionable content on social media has now been categorised as cybercrime and classified as organised crime. This means that falling foul of the ruling Congress in the state over social media posts could result in being treated as a seasoned criminal.
Bharat Rashtra Samiti leader Manne Krishnak said the proposed acquisition of these amounted to an invasion of privacy.
“We are contemplating moving the court. The police cannot arrogate to themselves the power to snoop into citizens’ lives. In other words, it is cybersnooping, which conflicts with freedom of speech. The police want everything about your mobile, which we use for activities like maintaining bank accounts, sending mails, and accessing sites. The software being purchased is like Pegasus, snooping into our privacy,” he said, adding that such power should rest only with the judiciary.
“On a case-to-case basis, the judge concerned should decide. The police cannot on their own do it.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
