The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the duration of archiving call data and internet usage records of subscribers to two years. The step has been undertaken due to security reasons.
The amendments in the licences were issued on December 21, 2021 and extended to other forms of telecom permits on December 22, 2021. It mandates telecom companies to maintain internet data records of subscribers including login and logout details of all subscribers for services provided such as internet access, e-mail, internet telephony services like calls made from mobile applications or Wi-Fi calling for at least two years.
Earlier, the rules mandated the archive call data and internet usage records for at least one year. Telecom companies could dispose the data stored thereafter if there was no direction from the DoT.
