Inclusion of OTT platforms in Telecom Bill maybe a risk to digital economy

The expanded definition of telecommunication services in the draft telecom Bill —including over-the-top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and Google Meet — may harm the digital economy and user privacy in India, according to experts.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released the draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, late on Wednesday.

The Bill defines telecommunication services as those available to users through telecommunication, which includes internet-based communication services such as emails, video calls, satellite connectivity, and over-the-top (OTT) communication.

The Bill, if it goes through, empowers the government to direct service providers to intercept, detain, and disclose messages sent through these channels in