National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)
What is NATGRID?
A counter terrorism measure after 26/11 terrorist siege
It collates data from the databases of of the various agencies and ministries
Headed by an Indian Police Service (IPS)
Intelligence sharing network
Who can access NATGRID?
Cabinet Secretariat
Intelligence Bureau
Central Board of Direct Taxes (for the Income Tax Department)
Directorate General of GST Intelligence
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
Narcotics Control Bureau
Enforcement Directorate
Financial Intelligence Unit
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
National Investigation Agency
Central Bureau of Investigation
Why do we need NATGRID?
Threats to innocents and HR violations
A pattern search and recognition system
Investigation delays
Keeping a tab on History sheeters
Harsh and coercive means to extract information
Significance of NATGRID
Use of high-end technologies
Universal accessibility
Tackling financial crimes
Better criminal tracking
Detecting terror activities
Help preempt terrorist plots
It can provide real time information
Issues with Natgrid
Digital databases are vulnerable to hacking
It seeks linking of social media accounts
No state agency or police force has access to its database
Surveillance state
Violations of privacy and leakage of confidential personal information