The Lok Sabha recently approved the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, a significant piece of legislation that empowers the government to temporarily take control o... The Lok Sabha recently approved the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, a significant piece of legislation that empowers the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security.
The bill, passed by a voice vote after a brief debate, also addresses the allocation of satellite spectrum and grants the government authority to assume possession of a telecom network during public emergencies or in the interest of public safety. The bill, spearheaded by Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, outlines provisions for stopping transmission and intercepting messages in case of public emergencies. It emphasizes that such measures are essential to prevent incitement for committing offenses during times of crisis.