No decryption of OTT-based messaging services, Telecom Minister assures

Union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Friday, said the draft telecommunication Bill 2022 doesn’t force decryption of messages on OTT-based services, despite there being a provision for their lawful interception in the proposed legislation.

“There is no provision to force decryption of OTT-based messaging services,” Vaishnaw clarified. “There is a very clear process on interception with checks and balances based on Supreme Court’s guidelines. That system will continue to be followed.”

“As far as possible, we have to make a light touch regulatory environment which does not hamper innovation or introduce a big regulatory burden on anyone, but we will keep protection of users in the focus in the Bill,” the minister said.