Sunil Abraham and Hindustan Times

Hindustan Times is one of India’s most widely circulated English-language newspapers, with strong national coverage spanning politics, law, technology, society, and public affairs. Its reporting frequently engages with how technological change affects governance, civil liberties, and everyday life.

Across opinion writing and reported stories, Sunil Abraham has appeared both as a contributor and as a cited expert. His presence in Hindustan Times coverage often situates questions of digital rights, surveillance, platform accountability, and internet regulation within broader democratic and constitutional debates rather than narrow sectoral discussions.

This cluster brings together all publications and media mentions associated with Hindustan Times, offering a unified reference point for readers tracing how technology policy and digital governance issues have been addressed in mainstream Indian journalism over time.

✍️ Publications

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  1. A Trust Deficit Between Advertisers and Publishers is Leading to Fake News
    24 September 2018
    Opinion column by Sunil Abraham in Hindustan Times exploring how the trust gap between advertisers and publishers has contributed to the rise of fake news and what transparency and commons-based solutions might help.
  2. Now That Privacy Is a Fundamental Right, Parliament Must Define Contours of SC Ruling
    25 August 2017
    A Hindustan Times opinion piece by Sunil Abraham proposing a legislative framework following the Supreme Court's recognition of privacy as a fundamental right, advocating for an omnibus privacy law balancing competing interests.

📣 Media Mentions

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  1. 'Forwarded' Label Now Live on WhatsApp to Combat Fake News
    10 July 2018
    A Hindustan Times Tech report on WhatsApp's introduction of a forwarded message label in response to mob lynchings in India linked to fake messages, and expert reactions to the new feature.
  2. 'Willing to Participate, but Need More Time': Twitter on Parliamentary Panel Hearing
    10 February 2019
    A Hindustan Times report on Twitter's decision not to appear before a parliamentary panel investigating allegations of anti-right-wing bias, examining the political pressures behind the summons and expert critiques of platform transparency and parliamentary oversight processes.
  3. 350% Surge in Cyber Crimes in Last 3 Years
    20 January 2015
    A Hindustan Times report analysing National Crime Records Bureau data revealing a sharp rise in registered cyber crimes in India between 2010 and 2013, alongside challenges in legal frameworks and enforcement.
  4. A Dangerous Trend: Social Media Adds Fire to Muzaffarnagar Clashes
    03 December 2013
    A Hindustan Times report examining how fake videos and morphed images spread through social media platforms intensified communal violence during the Muzaffarnagar riots, raising questions about content moderation and free speech.
  5. Aadhaar Database Scheme Raises Privacy Fears as Lok Sabha Passes Bill
    17 March 2016
    A Reuters report published in Hindustan Times on Parliament passing Aadhaar legislation and the privacy concerns raised by lawmakers and civil society groups.
  6. After Cambridge Analytica Case, Govt Asks Facebook if Data of Indians Was Misused
    28 March 2018
    A Hindustan Times report on the Indian government's notice to Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, seeking clarification on whether Indian voter data was compromised.
  7. BJP Outspends Congress, Others in Social Media Advertising
    03 May 2019
    A Hindustan Times report on political parties' spending on social media advertising during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, based on transparency data released by Facebook and Google.
  8. Brazil's Experience a Red Flag for WhatsApp in Indian Polls, Say Experts
    21 October 2018
    A Hindustan Times report examining concerns about WhatsApp misuse ahead of India's 2019 elections following allegations of platform manipulation in Brazil's vote, featuring expert warnings about encryption dilemmas, data protection gaps, and Sunil Abraham's advocacy for fact-checker networks and in-application education.
  9. Building Intentional AI for India
    18 September 2025
    A Hindustan Times Genesis article examining India's approach to developing inclusive AI systems, with insights from the Pragati: AI for Impact convening co-hosted by Meta and The/Nudge Institute.
  10. Cambridge Analytica Row: Facebook Data Breach Hit 560K Indian Users
    05 April 2018
    A Hindustan Times Tech report disclosing that over 562,000 Indian Facebook users were affected by the Cambridge Analytica data breach, as Facebook responded to Indian government queries about compromised user data.
  11. Can Uber, Ola Apps Be Blocked? Govt Fighting Cyber Odds
    04 June 2015
    A Hindustan Times Tech report examining technical challenges faced by the Delhi government in blocking taxi aggregator apps like Uber and Ola following passenger safety concerns, highlighting encryption barriers.
  12. Centre Draws Red Lines for WhatsApp Over Fake News, Says Must Comply With Indian Laws
    21 August 2018
    A Hindustan Times report detailing the Indian government's directives to WhatsApp following mob lynchings linked to fake news, including demands for local compliance, a grievance officer, and data localisation.
  13. Concerns Over Central Snoop
    28 June 2013
    A Hindustan Times report examining privacy concerns surrounding India's Central Monitoring System, a centralised surveillance programme for intercepting phone calls and internet communications.
  14. Days After Jharkhand Breach, Govt Websites Continue to Bleed Aadhaar Data
    29 April 2017
    A Hindustan Times investigation revealing multiple instances of Aadhaar data leaks across government websites following the initial Jharkhand breach, exposing vulnerabilities in India's digital identity infrastructure.
  15. Draft Bill Proposes ₹1 Crore Fine, 3 Year Jail for Data Privacy Violation
    08 June 2018
    A Hindustan Times report on the Internet Freedom Foundation's release of the 'Indian Privacy Code, 2018', a civil society-drafted model privacy law proposing stringent penalties for privacy violations ahead of the Justice Srikrishna Committee's recommendations.
  16. Ensure Steps to Prevent Spread of Rumours, Government Warns WhatsApp
    04 July 2018
    A Hindustan Times report on the Indian government warning WhatsApp to take steps to curb the spread of rumours linked to incidents of mob violence.
  17. Facebook India Appoints Sunil Abraham as New Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Tech
    12 October 2020
    A Hindustan Times Tech report announcing Facebook India's appointment of Sunil Abraham as Public Policy Director for Data and Emerging Technology, outlining his responsibilities and the broader policy environment.
  18. Facebook is Desperate About Free Basics: Here is Why
    25 December 2015
    A Hindustan Times Tech analysis of Facebook's intensive lobbying campaign to save its Free Basics platform in India, published during the critical weeks before TRAI's final ruling on differential pricing and net neutrality.
  19. Govt to Keep Aadhaar Records for 7 Yrs, Prompts Fears of Surveillance
    17 October 2016
    A Hindustan Times report examining new UIDAI rules requiring seven-year retention of Aadhaar authentication records, raising concerns about potential surveillance capabilities and data access by security agencies.
  20. India's Ballot Battle Will Also Run Through Facebook
    04 March 2014
    A Hindustan Times Tech report on Facebook's launch of its election tracker ahead of India's 2014 general elections, examining how social media was poised to influence voting outcomes in 160 key constituencies.
  21. Indian Activists Slam FCC Decision to Ditch Net Neutrality
    23 November 2017
    A Hindustan Times Tech report capturing Indian digital rights activists' responses to the US FCC's November 2017 decision to dismantle net neutrality protections, with experts expressing confidence in India's regulatory framework.
  22. Instant Fame in Just 140 Characters
    18 March 2011
    A Hindustan Times feature profiling notable Indian Twitter users beyond Bollywood celebrities, including political activists, social psychologists, comedians and policy researchers using the platform for diverse purposes.
  23. Intelligence Agencies Will Not Have Open Access to Aadhaar Data: UIDAI Chief
    20 October 2016
    A Hindustan Times report featuring UIDAI CEO ABP Pandey's assurances that intelligence agencies cannot freely access Aadhaar transaction data, alongside contrasting views from privacy advocates on the efficacy of legal and technical safeguards.
  24. Internet Services Not to Be Affected as DNS Servers Undergo Update
    12 October 2018
    A Hindustan Times report on ICANN's cryptographic key rollover for DNS security, with Indian ISPs confirming preparedness to avoid service disruptions, though experts expressed uncertainty about compliance rates.
  25. Is Facebook Too Powerful Without Legal Safeguards?
    23 March 2018
    A Hindustan Times Tech report examining calls by Indian experts for data protection and competition laws to regulate Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, highlighting gaps in India's legal framework.
  26. Mandatory Aadhaar Card for Govt Scholarships Violates SC Order
    15 July 2016
    A Hindustan Times report examining the HRD ministry's decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for government scholarships despite a Supreme Court order restricting its use, raising concerns of contempt of court.
  27. Not Zoom, Vidyo Is Govt's App of Choice During Covid-19 Lockdown
    10 April 2020
    A Hindustan Times report examining the Indian government's shift to Vidyo video conferencing following security concerns about Zoom during the Covid-19 lockdown, featuring analysis of encryption vulnerabilities and infrastructure sovereignty issues.
  28. Now Trending: Regional Indian Language Social Media Networks
    14 February 2016
    A Hindustan Times feature exploring the emergence of regional Indian language social media platforms, examining how they foster intimate communities and authentic cultural expression beyond English-dominated spaces.
  29. Now, Escorts Hook Up With Clients on Twitter
    13 July 2014
    A Hindustan Times report on escort service agencies in Indian cities using Twitter to connect with clients, and the legal and platform liability issues this raises under Indian law.
  30. Now, Twitter Too Caught Up in Cambridge Analytica Controversy
    30 April 2018
    A Hindustan Times Tech report revealing that Twitter sold public data access to Cambridge Analytica researcher Aleksandr Kogan, expanding the scope of the data privacy scandal beyond Facebook.
  31. PIB Plans a Fact-Checking Unit to Counter Fake News
    03 July 2019
    A Hindustan Times report on the Press Information Bureau's plan to establish a fact-checking unit to monitor and counter fake news about government policies on social media platforms, including commentary on funding mechanisms for the fact-checking ecosystem.
  32. Rural Indians Don't Trust Messages on WhatsApp Blindly: Survey
    19 October 2018
    A Hindustan Times report on a Digital Empowerment Foundation survey examining trust levels among rural WhatsApp users in India, revealing widespread scepticism towards messages received on the platform.
  33. SC Scrapped It, But Thousands Held Last Year Under Dead Cyber Law
    07 September 2016
    A Hindustan Times report revealing that over 3,000 people were arrested under Section 66A of the IT Act in 2015, despite the Supreme Court striking down the provision in March 2015 for violating freedom of speech.
  34. Spy Agencies, IB and RAW, Put Spanner in Proposed Privacy Law
    02 November 2013
    A Hindustan Times report documenting intelligence agencies' efforts to weaken the Right to Privacy Bill 2013, with the Intelligence Bureau and RAW seeking exemptions that would compromise protections against unauthorised data access.
  35. Tweet Arrest Sparks Protest and a Fightback
    02 November 2012
    A Hindustan Times report on the arrest of businessman Ravi Srinivasan in Puducherry for tweets about Karti Chidambaram, triggering debates on free speech and Section 66A of the IT Act.
  36. WhatsApp Needs to Do More to Curb Fake News and Rumours, Say Experts
    06 July 2018
    A Hindustan Times report compiling expert assessments of WhatsApp's response to government concerns about misinformation following mob lynchings, with divergent views on the adequacy of platform measures and government responsibility.

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