Publications
The Sunil Abraham Project curates and archives the published works, papers, and writings of Sunil Abraham, focusing on open knowledge, digital culture, and the social impact of technology.
These publications reflect years of engagement in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), Internet governance, and open access movements.
Books and Book Chapters
Books
- Agency and Enterprise Handbook for ICT in the Indian Small Scale Sector — Co-authored with Dr. Richard Heeks and Dr. Richard Duncombe.
Institute for Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester, May 2004.
Guidelines for applying information and communication technologies in small-scale industries in India.
Read here
Book Chapters
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“Surveillance Project” — In Dissent on Aadhaar: Big Data Meets Big Brother, edited by Reetika Khera.
Orient Blackswan, 2018.
A critical analysis of the Aadhaar programme and its implications for surveillance and citizen rights.
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“The Weight of Cloud Kitchens” — In Silicon Plateau Volume 2, edited by Marialaura Ghidini and Tara Kelton.
Institute of Network Cultures, 2018.
An empirical study of plastic waste generated by app-based cloud kitchens in Bengaluru, revealing regulatory gaps and environmental costs of on-demand food delivery.
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“First Among Equals? The Role of the State in Facilitating Internet Access and Protecting the Freedom of Expression Online in the Global South” — In Just Security in an Undergoverned World, edited by William Durch, Joris Larik and Richard Ponzio.
Oxford University Press, 2018.
Examines the state’s dual responsibility to expand access and uphold free expression.
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“The Digital Protection of Traditional Knowledge: Questions Raised by the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in India” — Co-authored with Vidushi Marda.
In Global Information Society Watch 2016.
Association for Progressive Communications, 2016.
Explores policy dilemmas around digital preservation and ownership of traditional knowledge.
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“Eavesdropping on the Freedom of Expression in India” — In Free Speech and Censorship around the Globe, edited by Peter Molnar.
Central European University Press, 2015.
Discusses surveillance, censorship, and freedom of expression in India’s digital context.
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“Open Standards” — In Global Information Society Watch 2008.
Association for Progressive Communications, 2008.
Reviews policy and advocacy developments around open standards in ICT governance.
Read here
Journal Articles
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“India’s Contribution to Internet Governance Debates” — with Mukta Batra, Geetha Hariharan, Swaraj Barooah and Akriti Bopanna.
Student Law Journal, National Law University Delhi, 2018.
Analyses India’s evolving role in global Internet governance processes.
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“Security: Privacy, Transparency and Technology” — with Elonnai Hickok and Tarun Krishnakumar.
Digital Debates 2015: CyFy Journal, Volume 2, Observer Research Foundation.
Examines the tension between privacy rights, transparency, and technological security in governance.
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“Shreya Singhal and 66A”
Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. L, No. 15, April 2015.
A reflection on the landmark Supreme Court judgment striking down Section 66A of the IT Act.
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“Who Governs the Internet? Implications for Freedom and National Security”
Yojana, Government of India, April 2014 Issue.
Discusses the intersection of governance, sovereignty, and Internet freedom in India.
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“Government Access to Private-Sector Data in India” — with Elonnai Hickok.
International Data Privacy Law, 2012.
Analyses legal and institutional mechanisms governing government access to private-sector data.
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“The Fight for Digital Sovereignty”
Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. XLVIII, No. 42, October 19, 2013.
Explores national policy choices in digital infrastructure and Internet control.
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“Unified Payment Interface: Towards Greater Cyber Sovereignty”
Observer Research Foundation, Issue Brief No. 380, July 2020.
An analysis of UPI’s architecture, governance, privacy risks and its significance for India’s digital sovereignty.
Read here
Research Reports and Policy Papers
Major Reports
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“Report on Open Government Data in India” — with Glover Wright, Pranesh Prakash and Nishant Shah.
Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), 2012.
A comprehensive study of transparency, data-sharing practices, and open-data policy in Indian public institutions.
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“Digital Natives with a Cause?” — with Nishant Shah.
Hivos Knowledge Programme Report, 2009.
Explores the intersections of youth, identity, and digital activism in emerging economies.
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“Big Data in Governance in India: Case Studies”
CIS Research Report, 2017.
Investigates how large-scale data systems are shaping governance and accountability mechanisms in India.
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“Regulating the Internet: The Government of India and Standards Development at the IETF”
— with Aayush Rathi and Gurshabad Grover.
CIS Internet Governance Report, 2018.
Analyses India’s participation and influence in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standards process.
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“Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in India: Access to Mobile Technology” — with Vidushi Marda.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC), 2016.
Examines how access to mobile technologies advances or limits social and economic rights.
Read here
Policy Briefs and Submissions
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“Inputs to the Working Group on Enhanced Cooperation on Public Policy Issues Pertaining to the Internet (WGEC)” — with Vidushi Marda.
CIS Submission to the United Nations CSTD WGEC, 2014.
Presents civil society perspectives on enhanced cooperation in global Internet governance.
Read here -
“Unlicensed Spectrum Policy Brief for Government of India”
CIS Telecom Policy Paper, 2013.
Recommends liberalised approaches to spectrum allocation to promote innovation and rural connectivity.
Read here -
“Availability and Accessibility of Government Information in the Public Domain” — with Nirmita Narasimhan, Beliappa, and Anandhi Viswanathan.
CIS Policy Brief, 2012.
Assesses the accessibility of government information for persons with disabilities.
Read here -
“NITI Aayog Discussion Paper: An Aspirational Step Towards India’s AI Policy” — with Elonnai Hickok, Amber Sinha, Swaraj Barooah, and others.
CIS Blog and Policy Response, 2018.
Evaluates India’s AI policy framework and its implications for ethics, privacy, and innovation.
Read here -
“Artificial Intelligence: A Full-Spectrum Regulatory Challenge”
CIS Policy Brief, 2019.
Proposes a granular, domain-specific framework for AI regulation that balances innovation with accountability across sectors such as law enforcement, welfare, and digital platforms.
Read here
Monograph Series (Edited Volumes)
FOSS Series (APDIP–UNDP / Elsevier)
Sunil Abraham served as Series Editor for the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Primers, published jointly by APDIP–UNDP and Elsevier between 2004 and 2007.
These handbooks offer foundational insights into FOSS implementation, policy, and education across Asia and the Pacific.
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FOSS: Education — by Tan Wooi Tong.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2004.
Read online -
FOSS: Government Policy — by Kenneth Wong.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2004.
Read online -
FOSS: Localization — by Anousak Souphavanh and Theppitak Karoonboonyanan.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2005.
Read online -
FOSS: Open Standards — by Nah Soo Hoe.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2006.
Read online -
FOSS: Licensing — by Shun Ling Chen.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2006.
Read online -
FOSS: Network Infrastructure and Security — by Gaurab Raj Upadhaya.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2007.
Read online -
FOSS: Open Content — by Lawrence Liang.
Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2007.
Read online
Media Articles and Commentaries
Sunil Abraham has written widely for both Indian and international media, contributing opinion pieces and analytical essays on technology policy, privacy, and open knowledge.
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A Scanner Darkly
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A Trust Deficit Between Advertisers and Publishers is Leading to Fake News
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Aadhaar Is Actually Surveillance Tech
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Big Brother is Watching You
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Big Win for Freedom of Speech. Really?
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Cambridge Analytica Scandal: How India Can Save Democracy from Facebook
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Censoring the Internet: A Brief Manual
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Connected Trouble
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Copyright Amendment: Bad, but Could Have Been Much Worse
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Data Protection: We Can Innovate, Leapfrog
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ಡಿಜಿಟಲ್ ನಿರ್ಬಂಧಗಳ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ (Digital Restrictions Management)
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Do We Need the Aadhaar Scheme?
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Do You Want to Be Watched?
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Does India Need Its Own Bayh-Dole?
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Does the Government Want to Enter Our Homes?
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Don't SLAPP Free Speech
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Facebook, Privacy and India
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Facebook Shares 10 Key Facts About Free Basics: What's Wrong with All 10
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Facebook's Fall From Grace: Arab Spring To Indian Winter
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Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt
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Fixing Aadhaar: Security developers' task is to trim chances of data breach
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Free Basics: Negating Net Parity
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Freedom from Monitoring: India Inc Should Push For Privacy Laws
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Hits and Misses with the Draft Encryption Policy
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India's Digital Check
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India's Dreams of Web Censorship
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Intermediary Liability Law Needs Updating
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Internet Censorship Will Continue in Opaque Fashion
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Internet Freedom: What Would Have Happened if India Chose FB Free Basics
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Is Aadhaar a Breach of Privacy?
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It's the Technology, Stupid
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Lining Up the Data on the Srikrishna Privacy Draft Bill
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Linking Aadhaar with Social Media or Ending Encryption is Counterproductive
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Multiple Aspects Need to Be Addressed as the Clamour Grows for Network Neutrality
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Net Freedom Campaign Loses Its Way
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Online Censorship: How Government Should Approach Regulation of Speech
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Online Privacy Should Not Come at the Cost of Security
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Open Letter to Hillary Clinton on Internet Freedom
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Photocopying the Past
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Privacy and Security Can Co-exist
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Now That Privacy Is a Fundamental Right, Parliament Must Define Contours of SC Ruling
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Privacy Law Must Fit the Bill
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സ്വകാര്യതാലംഘനം: ധനനഷ്ടമില്ലെങ്കിലും കേസിനു പോകാം (Privacy Violation: Even Without Financial Loss You Can Sue)
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Privacy vs Transparency
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Privacy Worries Cloud Facebook's WhatsApp Deal
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Registering for Aadhaar in 2019
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Save the Internet From Corporate Censorship
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Sense and Censorship
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Sense and Censorship
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Services Like TwitterSeva Aren't the Silver Bullets They Are Made Out to Be
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Smartphones, Tablets and the Patent Wars
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Snooping Can Lead to Data Abuse
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Spreading Unhappiness Equally Around
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Surveillance Project
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That's the Unkindest Cut, Mr. Sibal
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The Five Monkeys and Ice-Cold Water
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The Generation of e-Emergency
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The Net Neutrality Debate: TRAI Has a Point in Imposing Temporary Ban on Free Basics
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The Quixotic Fight to Clean up the Web
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To Regulate Net Intermediaries or Not Is the Question
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TV versus Social Media: The Rights and Wrongs
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US Clampdown Worse than the Great Firewall
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Very Big Brother
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We Are Anonymous, We Are Legion
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When Governments Tag You on Social Media
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Wherever You Are, Whatever You Do
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Why NPCI and Facebook Need Urgent Regulatory Attention
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Wiki's Worth, on a Different Turf
Needs to be relocated
- “Availability and Accessibility of Government Information in the Public Domain” — CIS Policy Brief.
Read online
Blog Entries and Online Essays
Sunil Abraham has contributed extensively to the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS) blog and other online platforms, writing on privacy, openness, data governance, and digital rights.
These essays often serve as short policy commentaries or exploratory analyses of ongoing regulatory debates.
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“India’s Draft Privacy Bill: The Illusion of Control” — CIS Blog, 2018.
Critiques the structure of India’s proposed data protection law and the limitations of consent-based models.
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“Data Protection Framework: Gaps in Accountability” — with Elonnai Hickok. CIS Blog, 2018.
Examines institutional weaknesses in India’s proposed data protection regime.
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“Privacy, Security and Trust in the Digital Economy” — CIS Blog, 2017.
Analyses the challenges of building public trust in data-driven systems.
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“Algorithmic Transparency and the Future of Governance” — CIS Blog, 2016.
Discusses algorithmic decision-making and the demand for transparency in automated governance.
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“India’s Position on Net Neutrality” — CIS Blog, 2015.
Explains India’s regulatory and civil society advocacy for network neutrality.
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“Digital Privacy and the Aadhaar Ecosystem” — CIS Blog, 2013.
Explores privacy challenges arising from India’s biometric identity infrastructure.
Read online
Presentations and Lectures
Sunil Abraham has presented lectures and keynote talks at universities, research institutions, and international conferences, combining perspectives from technology, law, and policy.
His talks often focus on openness, ethics, and governance in digital systems.
Academic Conferences
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International School on Digital Transformation, Porto, Portugal.
Lecture on digital governance, open data, and global Internet policy. -
Open World Forum, Paris.
Session on open source policy and global knowledge-sharing frameworks. -
CyFy: The India Conference on Cyber Security and Internet Governance, New Delhi.
Panel on privacy, transparency, and the politics of data. -
Internet Governance Forum (IGF) — multiple years.
Participation in global multistakeholder dialogues on digital rights.
See also
- Authors directory, highlights authors who have collaborated with Sunil Abraham on various publications featured within this project
- Media directory, a directory of the newspaper or media outlet where they appeared
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