The Dangers of Policy by Analogue in The Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022 https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/the-dangers-of-policy-by-analogue-in-the-draft-indian-telecommunication-bill-2022-101668369266574.html
Nov 14, 2022
Extracts: it is vital that such a bill adheres to robust and transparent guidelines. (but..)
The bill defines “telecommunication services” as including “electronic mail, voice mail, voice, video and data communication services” as well as all “internet-based communication services”, and “interpersonal communications services, machine to machine communication services”.
Then it asserts that “The Central Government may exercise its privilege under sub-section (1) by granting to any entity … license for providing telecommunication services”... the straightforward implication is that all machine-to-machine communications...This is an unprecedented overreach...If any machine-to-machine communication requires a licence, this would be applicable not just to company provided services like email or WhatsApp but also to owners of blogs or personal webpages with comment sections...