Bring OTT communication services under regulatory framework: COAI
COAI
on Thursday made a strong pitch for over-the-top communication services to be brought under the
regulatory framework
, saying the segment has vulnerabilities and "largely escape regulatory oversight".
In the statement titled 'Strengthening India's digital frontiers', COAI noted that it is crucial for
law enforcement agencies
to have timely access to communication data.
"The weakest link in the current communications security chain lies in Over-The-Top (OTT) communication services, which provide voice and messaging capabilities similar to traditional
telecom networks
but largely escape regulatory oversight," SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI, said.
It is pertinent to mention here that
,
Telegram
and Signal are some examples of OTT communication platforms.
COAI - whose members include
Reliance Jio
,
Bharti Airtel
and
Vodafone Idea
- further said that the reported interception of satellite phone signal in tracking down three Pahalgam terrorists recently underscored the effective role of technology in
national security
.
"The security instructions by the DoT under the aegis of this Act mandate domestic traffic retention, local network infrastructure, and lawful interception capabilities-all essential elements for ensuring national security while maintaining user privacy for satellite communication services.
"Introducing a dedicated OTT authorisation under the Unified License would create consistency across platforms, ensuring fairness, enhancing security, and balancing innovation with the country's security needs," Kochhar said.
Drawing attention to "vulnerabilities", COAI said the "regulatory gap" poses challenges for law enforcement and crime prevention when it comes to OTT communications services.
To address this, it is imperative that
OTT communication services
be brought under a regulatory framework aligned with the
Indian Telecommunications Act, 2023
, COAI asserted.
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