Trai paper says mobile apps can impact national security | India TV News
9 years, 11 months ago

Trai paper says mobile apps can impact national security | India TV News

India TV News  

New Delhi: As a debate rages on ‘net neutrality', a discussion paper floated by regulator TRAI has said that mobile applications providing free internet-based calls and messaging services can be a threat to individual and national security. While listing out various regulatory imbalances and security issues related to internet-based calling and messaging applications, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has further said in the paper that opinions expressed freely without any restraint on social media as “another potentially problematic area”. The paper, which has called for public comments till April 24 and for counter-comments till May 8, further says that the messaging applications can manipulate social engineering by “psychological manipulation of people” into performing actions or divulging confidential information. The paper says that mobile application users also rarely understand that the so-called free apps actually share their personal information with various third party developers, and that this can pose serious threats.

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History of this topic

TRAI keeps OTT out of regulations in recommendations for National Broadcasting Policy
9 months, 1 week ago

TRAI keeps OTT out of regulations in recommendations for National Broadcasting Policy

Op India  

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has kept OTT out of regulation in its recommendations for the National Broadcasting Policy-2024. “OTT is a pull-based medium, therefore, transposing legal broadcasting regulations onto OTT would affect EoDB and hinder growth,” the regulator added. The TRAI said it has recommended a vision to foster a competitive, affordable and ubiquitous ecosystem for sustained growth …

TRAI to shortly come up with views on regulating apps like WhatsApp, Facebook
10 months, 1 week ago

TRAI to shortly come up with views on regulating apps like WhatsApp, Facebook

Hindustan Times  

Over-the-top services such as Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and Signal may come under a regulatory regime as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is looking forward to coming up with recommendations on them. Whatsapp logo TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lohti said that the telecom regulator will now proceed with open house discussions on framing a regulatory mechanism for these OTT …

Setting the rules in disputes over apps
1 year ago

Setting the rules in disputes over apps

Hindustan Times  

Last week, Google delisted the apps of 10 Indian businesses from its proprietary app store. This incident, which saw some apps relisted after mediated discussions, highlights the need for a thoughtful resolution of business disputes in the digital economy, increasingly contested on the notion of “fairness”. The margins-led fight between apps and their distributors has many analogues, such as telecom …

Regulating OTT platforms reignites India’s net neutrality debate
1 year, 5 months ago

Regulating OTT platforms reignites India’s net neutrality debate

The Hindu  

In recent weeks, the telecom industry loudly demanded a ‘network usage fee’ from Big Tech platforms whose traffic constitutes a major part of the data flowing through the Indian internet. TRAI ended up spinning Net Neutrality off into a separate consultation, asking the public if ‘differential pricing’ of data should be allowed. TRAI seeks consultation on contours of net neutrality …

Stressing India’s Unique Telecom Mkt, COAI Calls for Govt to Take Lead in Regulating OTTs for Industry Growth
1 year, 6 months ago

Stressing India’s Unique Telecom Mkt, COAI Calls for Govt to Take Lead in Regulating OTTs for Industry Growth

News 18  

The Cellular Operators Association of India has called upon the government to take the lead in creating regulations for Over-the-Top players rather than adhering to global benchmarks, stressing the uniqueness of India’s telecom market conditions. As per the association, there is a disparity between the telecom service providers and OTT players, particularly Large Traffic Generator OTTs. While TSPs invest in …

Indian Government issues warning about DogeRAT malware targeting android users
1 year, 6 months ago

Indian Government issues warning about DogeRAT malware targeting android users

India TV News  

Indian Government issues warning about DogeRAT malware targeting android users While the source of this threat remains unknown, the advisory highlights a recent incident where cybercriminals used Telegram to distribute fake versions of popular apps like ChatGPT, Instagram, Opera Mini, and YouTube. In a recent advisory, the Indian government has raised concerns about a dangerous malware threat targeting Android users …

‘Selective ban’ of messaging apps may be looked at: TRAI
1 year, 8 months ago

‘Selective ban’ of messaging apps may be looked at: TRAI

The Hindu  

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday put out a consultation paper asking if it would be possible for messaging apps such as WhatsApp to be brought under a licensing framework, and whether such apps can be banned “selectively” in places where an Internet shutdown would otherwise have been imposed. TRAI had recommended in September 2020 that there was …

Government mulling new rules to increase mobile phones, apps security standards
2 years ago

Government mulling new rules to increase mobile phones, apps security standards

India TV News  

Government mulling new rules to increase mobile phones, apps security standards Govt on mobile phones, apps security: "India is emerging as a trusted player in the global value chain of electronics. The government is in consultation with stakeholders to develop adequate security standards," the Meity tweeted. Govt on mobile phones, apps security: The government is mulling a new framework to …

India’s internet policy mustn’t develop Chinese characteristics
2 years, 5 months ago

India’s internet policy mustn’t develop Chinese characteristics

Live Mint  

One of the laws under which India governs its telecom industry dates back to 1885—when Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone was not even a decade old. If the colonial-era Indian Telegraph Act is hopelessly anachronistic, its proposed replacement may also be problematic: The telecom bill wants to retain sweeping powers of state surveillance and apply them even to …

Coming soon: relief from spam calls, fraudulent messages
2 years, 6 months ago

Coming soon: relief from spam calls, fraudulent messages

The Hindu  

In a move that could offer mobile phone users a big relief from spam calls and fraudulent messages, the government has proposed to make it mandatory that the identity of a person sending a message or calling should be visible to the receiver irrespective of the platform used for communication. we have dealt with this issue head-on.” Telecom Minister Ashwini …

India looking to regulate WhatsApp, Telegram, and other internet calling and messaging apps
2 years, 6 months ago

India looking to regulate WhatsApp, Telegram, and other internet calling and messaging apps

India Today  

The Department of Telecom has reached out to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for its opinion on developing a framework to regulate internet calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and others. The Department has now sought a comprehensive reference from TRAI for internet telephony and over-the-top players.” Meanwhile, the telecom companies are also requesting the government to …

India to have around 900 million internet users by 2025: Report
2 years, 8 months ago

India to have around 900 million internet users by 2025: Report

Live Mint  

Around 346 million Indians are engaged in online transactions including e-commerce, and digital payments, according to a report published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India. The IAMAI report titled 'Internet in India' stated that the global coronavirus pandemic has witnessed a record increase of 51% from 230 million in 2019 in India, in online transaction in the past …

Why is there a growing unease between the govt and Big Tech in India?
2 years, 8 months ago

Why is there a growing unease between the govt and Big Tech in India?

Business Standard  

The confrontation between big tech companies and the Indian government over the country’s new IT rules escalated on Tuesday after Twitter moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the IT ministry’s order to remove content and block multiple accounts on the US microblogging platform. Twitter would risk losing its safe harbour protection under the intermediary rules if it refuses to comply …

Indian govt bans employees from using VPN, Google Drive, and Dropbox
2 years, 9 months ago

Indian govt bans employees from using VPN, Google Drive, and Dropbox

India Today  

The government of India has banned its employees from using third-party and non-government cloud platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox. The move comes into effect just a few weeks after the government announced the new VPN policy that requires VPN service providers and data centre companies to store user data for up to five years. In addition to VPNs …

The app ban is a good first step
3 years, 1 month ago

The app ban is a good first step

Hindustan Times  

India expanded a ban on mobile software by Chinese-origin developers and investors, adding 54 apps that government officials privately listed out to reporters this week. These apps, government officials said on Monday, “were allegedly engaged in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country also posing serious threat to security of the state and defense of India”. Last …

Twitter is now legally responsible for any user’s tweets in India, government rules
3 years, 8 months ago

Twitter is now legally responsible for any user’s tweets in India, government rules

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. India’s IT ministry told the New Delhi High Court that Twitter’s non-compliance comes after a user complained …

India is trying to build its own internet
4 years ago

India is trying to build its own internet

CNN  

CNN Business — While Twitter finds itself in a prolonged standoff with the Indian government over the company’s refusal to take down certain accounts, a senior executive of a very similar Indian social network says the sudden attention on his app has been “overwhelming.” “It feels like … you’ve just been put in the finals of the World Cup suddenly …

Leaving OTT Communication Services To Their Own Devices
4 years, 5 months ago

Leaving OTT Communication Services To Their Own Devices

Live Law  

On September 16, 2020, the Minister of State for Communications, Education and Electronics and Information Technology during a session in the Lok Sabha, informed the Parliament that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had published its recommendations for the Department of Telecommunications to regulate Over the Top Communication Services. However, given that these OTT communication services require an active internet …

Why TRAI’s Recommendation on OTT Regulation is an Important Development to Uphold Privacy in India
4 years, 5 months ago

Why TRAI’s Recommendation on OTT Regulation is an Important Development to Uphold Privacy in India

News 18  

In September this year the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released its recommendations on the regulation of Over-The-Top communication services. Most importantly, it opined that mandating lawful interception by compromising encryption will render the users’ personal data vulnerable to attacks by unlawful actors, and therefore the privacy and security architecture of the OTT services must not be tinkered with. While …

WhatsApp, Skype Steer Clear of Regulations as TRAI Verdict Dampens Telcos' Hopes
4 years, 6 months ago

WhatsApp, Skype Steer Clear of Regulations as TRAI Verdict Dampens Telcos' Hopes

News 18  

WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype and other internet-based communications services have received a favourable verdict from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in an impending appeal that was seeking to impose regulatory restrictions on internet-driven communication services. This goes against India’s telecom operators, who had claimed that since OTT apps offer competitive services as telcos, they too should fall under similar regulatory …

No Regulations Needed Now For Over-the-Top(OTT) Communication Services Such As Facebook, Whatsapp: TRAI
4 years, 6 months ago

No Regulations Needed Now For Over-the-Top(OTT) Communication Services Such As Facebook, Whatsapp: TRAI

Live Law  

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said that no regulatory intervention was needed at the moment on issues related to privacy and security of over-the-top communication services such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Skype, Viber etc. "It is not an opportune moment to recommend a comprehensive regulatory framework for various aspects of services referred to as OTT services, beyond the. "It …

China expresses concern over India’s ban on 59 Chinese apps
4 years, 8 months ago

China expresses concern over India’s ban on 59 Chinese apps

The Hindu  

China on Tuesday said it was “seriously concerned” by India’s move to block 59 Chinese apps, which it described as “a deliberate interference in practical cooperation” between the two countries. “I want to stress that the Chinese government consistently asks Chinese enterprises to abide by international rules and local laws and regulations when conducting external cooperation,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao …

Telcos rue inadequate checks on competing OTTs, demand ‘same stringent rules’
5 years, 10 months ago

Telcos rue inadequate checks on competing OTTs, demand ‘same stringent rules’

Live Mint  

Telecom players Monday mounted a blistering attack on ‘Over the Top’ service providers like WhatsApp and Facebook, arguing that competing OTTs should be subject to same stringent safeguards as telcos, especially on lawful interception and data localisation aspects. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India open house discussion on 'regulatory framework for OTT Communications Services' saw a pitched battle between the two …

Opinion | The case against Chinese apps eyeing Indian smartphones
5 years, 11 months ago

Opinion | The case against Chinese apps eyeing Indian smartphones

Live Mint  

Should we applaud the Madras High Court’s decision to revoke the ban on TikTok, a video sharing app owned by China’s ByteDance, which has over 120 million monthly-active users in India? The Communist Party of China might have erected the Great Firewall to prevent Chinese people from getting ideas about liberty, freedom and democracy, but it has also become an …

Indian Lawmakers Concerned Social Media May Interfere In Elections
6 years, 1 month ago

Indian Lawmakers Concerned Social Media May Interfere In Elections

NPR  

Indian Lawmakers Concerned Social Media May Interfere In Elections Twitter and Facebook threaten to suspend accounts spreading fake news. GREENE: Well, let's just take the argument that some people are making a step further, if they're saying that this is - you know, some of the shutting down of accounts is based on politics, and you're telling me there's been …

India Is Cracking Down on Ecommerce and Free Speech
55 years, 2 months ago

India Is Cracking Down on Ecommerce and Free Speech

Wired  

When it comes to cracking down on tech giants, India is on a roll. Since December, Indian policymakers have taken a page from China’s playbook, enacting sweeping restrictions in an attempt to curtail the power of ecommerce behemoths like Amazon, and pushing proposals that would require internet companies to censor “unlawful” content, break user encryption, and forbid Indian data from …

TRAI OTT consultation paper: Identifying and addressing falling voice revenues of telcos
6 years, 4 months ago

TRAI OTT consultation paper: Identifying and addressing falling voice revenues of telcos

Firstpost  

Editor’s Note: This is a two-part series discussing the issues raised in TRAI’s 2018 Consultation Paper on Over-The-Top Services, which seeks views on the imposition of regulatory norms on par with telecom service providers on over-the-top services. The issue raised is yet again, on whether OTT services which compete directly with the services of a telecom service provider should be …

Should WhatsApp, Skype be regulated in India? Trai seeks to know
6 years, 4 months ago

Should WhatsApp, Skype be regulated in India? Trai seeks to know

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India’s telecom regulator is considering whether communications services such as WhatsApp, Google Duo and Skype should be subject to regulatory and licencing norms that are similar to the ones applicable on telecom operators. Trai’s latest consultation paper is seeking views on whether the regulatory imbalance is impacting investments in telecom networks for capacity expansion and technology upgradation and …

DoT seeks industry views on blocking mobile apps like FB, Whatsapp, Instagram in specific situations
6 years, 7 months ago

DoT seeks industry views on blocking mobile apps like FB, Whatsapp, Instagram in specific situations

India TV News  

The telecom department has sought views of the industry on technical measures that can be adopted for blocking mobile apps like instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc in situations where national security and public order are under threat. The Department of Telecom on July 18, 2018, had written to all telecom operators, the Internet Service Providers Association of India, industry body …

TRAI considers another consultation paper on regulating OTT apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and others
6 years, 11 months ago

TRAI considers another consultation paper on regulating OTT apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and others

Firstpost  

Telecom Authority of India is working on a new consultation paper to seek inputs if apps such as WhatsApp or Skype, offering communication services be regulated or licensed. A person aware of the developments regarding the consultation paper added, “The paper is also likely to This is not the first time when Trai is inviting consultation regarding OTT players in …

Net Neutrality: As US deals body blow to internet freedom, here’s how things stand in India
7 years, 3 months ago

Net Neutrality: As US deals body blow to internet freedom, here’s how things stand in India

India TV News  

The idea of an independent internet that provides fair and equal access to anyone has just been dealt its most severe blow. Passed in 2015 under the Obama administration, net neutrality rules prevented internet service providers from slowing down, blocking or speeding up connections to certain websites that would pay these carriers. Schemes like ‘Airtel Zero’ and more importantly, Facebook’s …

TRAI recommends rules for net neutrality, telcos say narrow view
7 years, 4 months ago

TRAI recommends rules for net neutrality, telcos say narrow view

India TV News  

Telecom regulator TRAI today recommended measures for non-discriminatory access to all content and services available on Internet with some exceptions as required under government rule, court order and the like. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, in its recommendation on net neutrality issued today, has cautioned that discriminatory treatment would include any form of restriction or interference including practices like …

TRAI backs net neutrality, wants ISPs barred from discriminatory treatment of content
7 years, 4 months ago

TRAI backs net neutrality, wants ISPs barred from discriminatory treatment of content

India TV News  

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has come out in strong favour of net neutrality, mooting amplification of licensing terms for Internet Service Providers, barring them from any sort of discrimination in Internet access “based on the content being accessed, the protocols being used or the user equipment being deployed”. “The service providers should be restricted from entering into any …

India firm on stopping terrorists from using social media: Government
7 years, 4 months ago

India firm on stopping terrorists from using social media: Government

India TV News  

Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said that radical elements and terrorists are abusing social media platforms for perpetuating hate and terror but India is determined to address the misuse of cyber space and thwart them. Radicalisation of young people through tools of social media poses grave threat to humanity," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "The world needs to …

TRAI to come out with views on net neutrality by October end, to start consultation on OTT app regulation
7 years, 5 months ago

TRAI to come out with views on net neutrality by October end, to start consultation on OTT app regulation

Firstpost  

Telecom regulator TRAI will come out with its views on net neutrality by October-end and also start consultation on “residual” issues around over-the-top applications soon, its chairman R S Sharma has said. The TRAI chief further said the regulator is preparing a consultation paper on “residual issues” with regard to OTT players like WhatsApp, Skype, Hike, among others. Much water …

TRAI to look into mobile apps which ask for blanket access to phone users' information
7 years, 8 months ago

TRAI to look into mobile apps which ask for blanket access to phone users' information

Firstpost  

Mobile apps seeking blanket access to phone users’ information — even if irrelevant to their functions — have come under the lens of TRAI. New Delhi: Mobile apps seeking blanket access to phone users’ information — even if irrelevant to their functions — have come under the lens of TRAI, which will start consultation on data privacy and security in …

Top IT majors term TRAI's Free Data paper violation of net neutrality
8 years, 8 months ago

Top IT majors term TRAI's Free Data paper violation of net neutrality

India TV News  

New Delhi: Several IT majors have questioned the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s proposal to explore models to provide free data saying it is a ‘violation of the net neutrality by the regulator’. The regulator, which is exploring a ‘toll free’ number like facility for accessing online platforms, received comments from 11 telecom operators including Internet service providers, 25 companies …

Net Neutrality: Trai issues a pre-consultation paper
8 years, 9 months ago

Net Neutrality: Trai issues a pre-consultation paper

Firstpost  

Telecom regulator Trai has issued pre-consultation paper on net neutrality, a topic that had kicked up dust earlier this year over platforms like Facebook’s Free Basics Telecom regulator Trai has issued pre-consultation paper on net neutrality, a topic that had kicked up dust earlier this year over platforms like Facebook’s Free Basics and Airtel Zero as well as attempts to …

Decoding the 'Free Basics' vs 'Net Neutrality' debate in India
9 years, 2 months ago

Decoding the 'Free Basics' vs 'Net Neutrality' debate in India

India TV News  

The public debate on net neutrality in India just entered a new phase with Facebook's ‘Free Basics' campaign. Free Basics connectivity allows users selective access to services like communication, healthcare, education, job listings and farming information -- all without data charges. However, the current model of Facebook for Free Basics gives users a predetermined selection, contrary to its own idea …

Regulate all messaging, voice call apps: Assocham
9 years, 8 months ago

Regulate all messaging, voice call apps: Assocham

The Hindu  

Welcoming the proposal to regulate domestic Internet call services provided by apps like WhatsApp and Viber, industry body Assocham said the government should expand the scope of regulation to all kind of communication services offered by over-the-top players. “While ruling that domestic calls by OTT CS players would be regulated, they have most illogically exempted both international VoIP calling by …

Digital India: Net Neutrality a key parameter for Digital India campaign to succeed, say experts
9 years, 8 months ago

Digital India: Net Neutrality a key parameter for Digital India campaign to succeed, say experts

Firstpost  

While the PM did mention net neutrality in passing, experts feel that having an open internet will eventually prove to be a bigger test when it comes to executing the vision of Digital India. The government announced the Digital India programme last week, which according to PM Narendra Modi “will enable investment of Rs 4.5 lakh crore and ensure jobs …

Net neutrality in India still a myth, but don't log off | IndiaTV News
9 years, 11 months ago

Net neutrality in India still a myth, but don't log off | IndiaTV News

India TV News  

New Delhi: Amid the raging debate globally over net neutrality, which has evoked a strong reaction from stakeholders in India, domain experts feel that an unshackled access to the Internet world isn't feasible in India yet but attempts must continue for egalitarianism. According to Antony Alex, chief executive officer of online learning platform myLaw.net, the IT Act already provides for …

What is net neutrality | India TV News
9 years, 11 months ago

What is net neutrality | India TV News

India TV News  

Why is Net Neutrality important for businesses? Rishab Bailey, Director Legal, Society for Knowledge Commons, said the protection of net neutrality is important in order to maintain competition in the online space, ensure diversity of content and guaranttee accessibility. Net Neutrality is especially important for those small business owners and startups, who rely on the open Internet to launch their …

Mobile apps can impact national security: TRAI paper
9 years, 11 months ago

Mobile apps can impact national security: TRAI paper

The Hindu  

As a debate rages on ‘net neutrality’, a discussion paper floated by regulator TRAI has said that mobile applications providing free internet-based calls and messaging services can be a threat to individual and national security. While listing out various regulatory imbalances and security issues related to internet-based calling and messaging applications, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has further said …

Net neutrality: Congress warns of stir
9 years, 11 months ago

Net neutrality: Congress warns of stir

The Hindu  

Coming out strongly in favour of ’net neutrality’, the Congress on Tuesday demanded that the government issue immediate policy directions to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to scrap the controversial consultation paper in the matter and warned of protests if freedom of choice of Internet users was compromised. Demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government unequivocally take a …

Government may back net neutrality | India TV News
9 years, 11 months ago

Government may back net neutrality | India TV News

India TV News  

New Delhi: Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad hinted that government may back an open Internet to spread digital literacy. Prasad said that common men should be able to access Internet without discrimination and declared that the final decision on the controversial net neutrality issue will be taken by the telecom department and not the regulator. The home page of …

Privileging telcos over netizens
9 years, 11 months ago

Privileging telcos over netizens

The Hindu  

With the fight for >net neutrality reaching a fever pitch, the Competition Commission is examining whether Indian telecom operators are violating the principle. Unfortunately, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-Top Services appears to propose only two choices: that we either accept licensing of Internet services or compromise on net neutrality. TRAI states: “Telecom …

TRAI seeks views on net-neutrality
10 years ago

TRAI seeks views on net-neutrality

The Hindu  

In the wake of recent debates over regulating of over-the-top players such as Skype, Viber, Whatspp and GoogleTalk, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, on Friday, sought views from the industry on the need for regulations for those players, security concerns and net neutrality. In this background, TRAI released a consultation paper on regulatory framework for OTT services,” TRAI Secretary Sudhir …

Indian firms in favour using mobile devices for work, says Symantec study
12 years ago

Indian firms in favour using mobile devices for work, says Symantec study

Firstpost  

Seven out of ten Indian companies believe that the benefits of using mobile devices by employees for official work equals or outweigh the risks… Seven out of ten Indian companies believe that the benefits of using mobile devices by employees for official work equals or outweigh the risks and a significant number of respondents ensure that the device has proper …

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