What are the new interception rules and safeguards? | Explained

The story so far: The Union Government, on December 6, notified the Telecommunications Rules, 2024 which empower some enforcement and security agencies to intercept phone messages under certain conditions. The new rules authorise the Union Home Secretary and the Secretary to the State government in-charge of the Home Department as the competent authority to order the interception of any message or class of messages. ‘In remote areas or for operational reasons’, the head or the second senior most officer of the authorised agency at the central level, and head or the second senior most officer of the authorised agency at the State level may also issue an order of interception, but the officer will have to submit such an order to the competent authority within three working days of the date of its issuance. Interception by authorised agencies is now possible if it is not feasible for the competent authority to issue orders in ‘remote areas or for operational reasons’. The rules are silent about punitive actions if any authorised agency abuses the powers of interception for a period up to seven days, before its confirmation by the competent authority.