COAI urges regulation of OTT apps for national security

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has urged the Indian government to bring over-the-top (OTT) communication apps like WhatsApp under the Telecommunications Act of 2023, citing national security concerns. COAI Director General SP Kochhar stated that unregulated messaging apps bypass telecom operators’ infrastructure for lawful interception and monitoring, posing a potential security threat. He argued that messaging apps should comply with rules in the same manner as telecom service providers and that the exponential growth of communication apps is creating an uneven playing field.

The demand comes after prominent telecom companies, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, demanded a licensing or authorisation regime for OTT apps, which industry bodies representing OTT platforms and digital advocacy groups have opposed. Critics argue that such regulations could infringe on privacy and disrupt net neutrality, as OTT apps operate under different models than traditional telecom services.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has clarified that it does not plan to regulate OTT players, highlighting the complexities of the new Act. The debate continues, focusing on national security, compliance, and fairness in the digital communication landscape.