Selective ban of messaging apps may be looked at: TRAI

Subject : Governance

Concept :

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) put out a consultation paper asking if it would be possible for messaging apps such as WhatsApp to be brought under a licensing framework, and whether such apps can be banned “selectively” in places where an Internet shutdown would otherwise have been imposed.
TRAI’s questions on selective shutdowns appear to be along these lines, without reference to VPNs. Instead, the regulator has hinted at the possibility of a “collaborative framework” between telcos and OTTs.
The regulator asked what challenges would be encountered in such a collaboration, including with respect to Net neutrality, the concept that all traffic on a network should be treated without discrimination in speed or pricing.
When the Electronics and Information Technology Ministry notified the IT Rules, 2021, with a requirement that messaging apps provide for “traceability” of the original sender of a forwarded message, WhatsApp approached the Delhi High Court to strike down the requirement, arguing that compliance would require it to weaken its encryption.
The case, which may also have wider repercussions for how online communications are regulated, is still ongoing.

For further notes on IT Rules 2021 , refer – https://optimizeias.com/new-it-rules/