The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a major step to strengthen digital safety for the public. The department has issued a new policy mandating that data regarding calls and messages of Indian users be stored within the country. This new rule applies to telecom infrastructure providers, mobile tower companies, satellite gateway operators, and cloud network companies.
Recent reports indicate that the telecom regulator, TRAI, is also preparing to amend regulations to enforce stricter controls on data sharing by call management apps. The proposed rule requires apps like Truecaller to share data regarding spam calls reported by users with the regulator.
What is the new order?
In its order, the DoT has clarified that no data or logs related to calls, messages, or network operations may be transmitted or shared outside the country. The DoT issued this directive under the new Telecommunications Act, 2023, which emphasizes enhancing the security of digital infrastructure.
The DoT issued an order on July 20 mandating that new entities store their entire network, data, and logs within India. Copies of this data cannot be transferred outside the country. Furthermore, the order states that the government reserves the right to conduct audits at any time; in matters concerning national security, action may be taken without prior notice.
View the DoT order here.
This new directive from the DoT is expected to boost the demand for local data centers. To facilitate this, the government has introduced a new category for ‘cloud-hosted telecom network providers’ with an entry fee of just ₹10 lakh and no annual fees. This move will enable smaller companies to benefit from improved infrastructure while simultaneously strengthening digital connectivity. DoT Takes a Strict Stance
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has clarified in its order that no telecom operator can attribute delays in network rollout to a lack of government approval. Delays in obtaining permissions will not be accepted as an excuse for violating regulations. Telecom and cloud companies must now store the data of Indian citizens on local servers without delay.
