NEW DELHI, Sept 22: Apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype and Google Duo which provide calling and messaging services may soon require licences to operate in the country, according to draft telecommunication bill 2022, which was posted on the website inviting public opinion on the proposals. The last date for public comment on the draft is October 20.
The draft bill has included “Over The Top” (OTT) Apps as part of the telecommunication service. “For provision of Telecommunication Services and Telecommunication Networks, an entity shall have to obtain a license,” the draft bill said.
The government in the bill has proposed a provision to waive fees and penalty of telecom and internet service providers. The ministry has also proposed a provision for the refund of fees in case a telecom or internet provider surrenders his license.
“Seeking your views on the draft Indian Telecom Bill 2022,” Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on a social media platform in which he also shared the link of the draft bill. According to the draft, the central government may, “waive in part or full any fee, including entry fees, license fees, registrations fees or any other fees or charges, interest, additional charges or penalty” for any licence holder or registered entity under the telecom rules.
The bill proposes to exempt “press messages that are intended to be published in India” of correspondents accredited to the central or state government from interception. But the exemption will stand withdrawn in case of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety, sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or to prevent incitement to an offence, according to the draft.
In such cases “any message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication services or telecommunication network, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained or disclosed” to the authorized officer, according to the draft bill.
(Manas Dasgupta)