---
layout: default
title: Publications
categories: [Project pages, Publications]
description: "Collection of published works, papers, and writings by Sunil Abraham on open knowledge, digital culture, and the social impact of technology, including reports, articles, and edited volumes."
created: 2025-10-19
---

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](/publications/ecommerce-for-small-enterprise-development/){: .btn}

### Book Chapters

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/surveillance-project/){: .btn}

- **"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._  
[Read here](/publications/weight-of-cloud-kitchens){: .btn}

- **"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._  
[Read here](/publications/first-among-equals){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/the-digital-protection-of-traditional-knowledge/){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/eavesdropping-on-the-freedom-of-expression-in-india){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/open-standards/){: .btn}

## Journal Articles

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/indias-contribution-to-internet-governance-debates){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/security-privacy-transparency-and-technology){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/shreya-singhal-and-66a){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/who-governs-the-internet){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/government-access-to-private-sector-data-in-india){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/the-fight-for-digital-sovereignty){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/unified-payment-interface-towards-greater-cyber-sovereignty/){: .btn}

## Research Reports and Policy Papers

### Major Reports

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/open-government-data-study-india){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/digital-natives-with-a-cause){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/big-data-in-governance-india/){: .btn}

- **"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._  
  [Read here](/publications/regulating-the-internet-india-ietf){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/economic-social-cultural-rights-india){: .btn}

### Policy Briefs and Submissions

- **"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](/publications/inputs-to-wgec){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/unlicensed-spectrum-policy){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/availability-accessibility-government-information){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/niti-aayog-discussion-paper-ai-policy){: .btn}

- **"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](/publications/artificial-intelligence-full-spectrum){: .btn}


## 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.

- **FOSS: Education** — by Tan Wooi Tong.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2004.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Education)

- **FOSS: Government Policy** — by Kenneth Wong.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2004.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Government_Policy)

- **FOSS: Localization** — by Anousak Souphavanh and Theppitak Karoonboonyanan.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2005.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Localization)

- **FOSS: Open Standards** — by Nah Soo Hoe.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2006.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Open_Standards)

- **FOSS: Licensing** — by Shun Ling Chen.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2006.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Licensing)

- **FOSS: Network Infrastructure and Security** — by Gaurab Raj Upadhaya.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2007.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Network_Infrastructure_and_Security)

- **FOSS: Open Content** — by Lawrence Liang.  
  *Elsevier / APDIP–UNDP, 2007.*  
  [Read online](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FOSS_Open_Content)

## 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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### Needs to be relocated
- *"Availability and Accessibility of Government Information in the Public Domain"* — *CIS Policy Brief*.  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/accessibility/blog/policy-brief-availability-accessibility-govt-information-public-domain.pdf)


## 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.

- **"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._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/indias-draft-privacy-bill-the-illusion-of-control)

- **"Data Protection Framework: Gaps in Accountability"** — with Elonnai Hickok. *CIS Blog, 2018.*  
  _Examines institutional weaknesses in India’s proposed data protection regime._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/data-protection-framework-gaps-in-accountability)

- **"Privacy, Security and Trust in the Digital Economy"** — *CIS Blog, 2017.*  
  _Analyses the challenges of building public trust in data-driven systems._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/privacy-security-and-trust-in-the-digital-economy)

- **"Algorithmic Transparency and the Future of Governance"** — *CIS Blog, 2016.*  
  _Discusses algorithmic decision-making and the demand for transparency in automated governance._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/algorithmic-transparency-and-the-future-of-governance)

- **"India’s Position on Net Neutrality"** — *CIS Blog, 2015.*  
  _Explains India’s regulatory and civil society advocacy for network neutrality._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/telecom/blog/indias-position-on-net-neutrality)

- **"Digital Privacy and the Aadhaar Ecosystem"** — *CIS Blog, 2013.*  
  _Explores privacy challenges arising from India’s biometric identity infrastructure._  
  [Read online](https://cis-india.org/internet-governance/blog/digital-privacy-and-the-aadhaar-ecosystem)

## 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

- **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](/publications/authors), highlights authors who have collaborated with Sunil Abraham on various publications featured within this project
-   [Media directory](/publications/media), a directory of the newspaper or media outlet where they appeared

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