The home ministry has asked all operators to store text messages for the last six months, as they feel this is vital to meet security requirements of the country.
However, the proposal has not gone down well with operators, who have said that the Center must first spell out privacy issues and frame laws that will address concerns related to storing text messages for a six-month period. Also, operators said that setting up data centres for SMS storage will force them to pass on the costs to customers. They also added that operating costs per tower will be up by 50 per cent.
This issue comes close on the heels of operators lobbying with the interior ministry for a delayed or phased implementation of a proposal that will require all operators to install advanced tracking devices on every cell tower in the country to pinpoint the location of any individual within 50 meters of accuracy.
