No plans to launch quarterly reviews on web shutdown orders: Minister
New Delhi: The federal government doesn’t intend to launch quarterly reviews detailing web shutdown orders, minister of state for communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar instructed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written response to a query from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) lawmaker D Ravi Kumar, Sekhar stated the federal government additionally doesn’t plan to arrange an impartial inquiry to review the financial, social, and community-wide influence of web shutdowns.
“The contribution of the web to the well-being of residents have to be balanced with stopping misuse by anti-social components, which requires short-term shutdowns as per the foundations primarily based on assessments by native (state/UT) authorities,” the response learn.
Kumar additionally requested if the federal government meant to “repeal” the part associated to web shutdowns (Part 20) of the Telecommunications Act 2023 or introduce safeguards to stop its potential misuse.
Sekhar stated there was no such proposal, and the Telecommunications (Momentary Suspension of Providers) Guidelines, 2024, comprise “mandatory safeguards to stop the potential misuse of this part.”
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The federal government introduced the brand new guidelines into impact on November 22.
These guidelines mandate the publication of all orders suspending telecom companies, together with web companies, with particular causes, geographical areas, and durations, which can’t exceed 15 days.
In a big change from the older guidelines, authorities can now solely cease telecom companies when no different affordable means can be found, that means web shutdowns can not be the primary response.
Nevertheless, the foundations are silent on publishing overview committee orders and deliberations.
In February 2024, a Supreme Courtroom bench of Justices BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala, and Sandeep Mehta dominated that whereas committee deliberations needn’t be printed, “will probably be essential to publish the ultimate order.”
Beneath the brand new guidelines, the overview committee is empowered to put aside any suspension order that doesn’t adjust to the father or mother act.
