Relief to apps like WhatsApp-Telegram in New Telecom Bill, new condition for social media accounts of minors
New Data Protection Rules: While on one hand it has been decided to keep OTT apps like WhatsApp and Telegram out of the scope of the new telecom bill, on the other hand there are preparations to further improve the rules of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. The safety of children below 18 years of age who are active on social media is also a priority of the government.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is moving fast on the new Telecom Bill and the new rules of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
The biggest relief is for Over the Top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. These platforms will remain outside the scope of the bill.
On the other hand, there are preparations to tighten the rules of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. This will not make it easy for tech companies to share the data of Indian citizens.
The government may soon issue new rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has said that the draft of the new rules will be released for discussion within a month. The rules will be implemented after the discussion. After the implementation of the new rules, social media companies can be tightened.
Relief to WhatsApp and Telegram apps
The central government introduced the Telecom Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2023 last year. It was also passed from there.
However, the introduction of this bill will provide relief to OTT platforms like WhatsApp and Telecom, as they will not be regulated under the new Telecom Bill.
According to sources, they were kept out of consultation while preparing the Telecom Bill. The statement of the former Telecom Minister in this regard is also on record.
New condition for social media accounts of minors
Under the new rules of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, it will be mandatory to take permission from parents to create a social media account for children under the age of 18.
Apart from this, social media companies will also not be able to track the activities of children. This will help in preventing incidents of tampering with the data of minors under the guise of social media.
The government will implement the rules in several phases
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, the central government will implement the rules in several phases. A Digital Data Protection Board will also be formed under the rules. Apart from this, the government is also preparing to form a data tribunal.
There will also be a provision in the new rules that social media companies will have to take permission from users before taking their data . Without permission, companies will not be able to share users' data.
Government took a step back on the broadcast bill
According to sources, the government has decided not to proceed with the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024 for now. It is a proposed law that aims to reform the regulatory framework for broadcast services in India. The first draft of the bill was introduced in 2023 and was published for public consultation.
This bill was introduced because the Telegraph Act is being changed to the Telecom Act. The 1885 Act was providing a regulatory framework for broadcasting, although it did not exist then.
So when the Telegraph Act is to be repealed and replaced by the Telecom Act, the I&B Ministry worked on the Broadcast Services Bill. This will fill any regulatory gaps left after the Telegraph Act is repealed.