OTT Apps Regulation is a Step to Safe Customers: Telecom Minister

The Draft Telecom Invoice 2022 was launched by the Division of Telecommunications (DoT) a couple of days again. Underneath the invoice, the federal government has expanded the definition of telecommunications companies to now additionally embrace OTT (over-the-top) communication companies, satellite-based communication companies, broadband, in-flight communication and extra. The invoice needs to be regulation inside six to 10 months, stated Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday whereas interacting with the reporters.

The OTT communication apps equivalent to Telegram, WhatsApp, Sign and extra would come beneath the licensing norms of the telecom sector and would then must comply with KYC (know your buyer) guidelines the way in which telecom operators must. Vaishnaw stated that the regulation of OTT apps is just to guard the customers on the finish of the day.

The invoice would not have any provision to decrypt the encrypted messages of social media platforms. Nevertheless, in accordance with an ET Telecom report, there’s a clear mechanism of interception within the invoice based mostly on a Supreme Courtroom judgement.

The distinction between voice calls and information calls has decreased considerably over time. To maintain customers protected, the federal government needs to control OTT communication apps. Vaishnaw stated that it is vital for a person to know or know who’s making the decision. Now whether or not or not it’s a WhatsApp name, a standard name or every other name, the shopper must know who is looking.

The brand new invoice will sort out cyber frauds in India, stated Vaishnaw. Proper now, the DoT is within the session course of, and the general public, in addition to the stakeholders, can submit their views till October 20, 2022.

T V Ramachandran, president of Broadband India Discussion board, stated that a few of the provisions of the draft telecom invoice 2022 appear prohibitive and will push the sector again to the pre-1997 period, leading to a destructive for the massive ticket investments. The BIF president additionally seen that via this invoice, the federal government is limiting the ability of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which is once more unhealthy.