DoT asked can we block Facebook and Whatsapp?

Department of Telecommunication (DoT) asked operators and internet service providers to give options on how to block social media apps such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram.

Letter from Department of Telecommunication on July 18, “requested to explore various possible options and confirm how the Instagram/Facebook/WhatsApp/Telegram and other such social mobile apps can be blocked on internet”.

According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, the department has sought the views in situations where national security and public order are under threat. “DoT in the letter had said that the Ministry of Electronics and IT and law enforcement agencies have raised issue around blocking of certain mobile apps like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc to meet requirement under Section 69A of IT Act,”  an official source told PTI.

The Section 69A of IT Act talks about power to issue directions for blocking for public access to any information through any computer resource. If it is true then what about the net neutrality ? We have already reading the Data Protection Bill that also affect our privacy and interference. We understand that our country information must be secured but can’t it be like that there will be kind a good encrypted firewall system we can develop.

The letter to DoT stated that Ministry of Electronics and IT has raised issues regarding social media sites and the matter was also discussed during a meeting with DoT in July. During the meeting, technical inputs were sought from the ISPs and telcos present on the possibility of blocking selected mobile apps. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in its response to the DoT said that curbing of social media sites was “excessive, unncessary and would greatly harm India’s reputation as growing hub of innovation in technology.

So many people and business will get affected if there is any such blocking will take into affect and I can guess it will most affect the BJP?

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