Member • May 19, 2013
Government Of India Wants Skype & Other Internet Telephony Providers To Setup Servers In India
The Center will soon ask all the ISPs & mobile network operators in India to 'segregate IP addresses on a state-wide basis'. This move is intended to allow the Government to block Internet access and social networking websites (or any site) selectively in select states or regions in India.
The decision was taken in April 23 meeting which was attended by the officials of the Intelligence Bureau, top cops along with senior officials from telecom & IT departments. The minutes of the meetings read -
Any service provider, who provides communication services in India via any media through voice-over-internet protocol ( VoIP), should be mandated to be registered in India, having its office, server located in the country and, therefore, subject to Indian laws. Necessary provisions to this effect may be incorporated through amendment in Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Information Technology Act, 2000Skype so far has remained independent communication service which wasn't tracked by the Governments. With the segregation of the IP addresses, however, the home secretaries will be able to order lawful interception in areas under their jurisdiction under the Indian Telegraph Act & Information Technology Act.
We'd like to know from oure readers their opinion on this move by the Indian Government. Do you think it's justified considering it's a security related initiative?