The government has asked operators to consult with companies that provide services such as BlackBerry, Skype and GTalk messenger in order to set a deadline by which security agencies can intercept their services, say news reports.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure that all operators submit these details by March 31, 2011. The DoT, in turn, would inform the Ministry of Home Affairs. These deadlines are expected to be absolute.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has added that if operators fail to provide the same, such services would be shut off completely. It also said that once provided, the downloading of certain software on handsets for legal interception would not be difficult.
The Centre will also establish a security-centric architecture for the telecom sector through which the government could set up a new facility to deposit open software in certain forms and new testing facilities (labs).
