The Department of Telecom (DoT) has requested that telecom companies and internet service providers (ISPs) keep commercial and call detail records for at least two years, citing security concerns. According to reports, the amendment to the Unified License Agreement was made in response to requests from security agencies. Previously, subscribers’ call data and internet usage records were archived for one year. The licence amendments were issued on December 21 and were extended to other types of telecom permits on December 22.
“The licensee shall maintain all commercial records/call detail record/exchange detail record/IP detail record with record to the communications exchanged on the network. Such records shall be archived for at least two years for scrutiny by the licensor for security reasons,” the DoT circular said. Internet service providers will be required to maintain details of internet telephony along with the IP detail record for a period of two years.
The amendment requires telecom companies to keep internet data records of subscribers for at least two years, including login and logout details for all subscribers for services such as internet access, e-mail, internet telephony services such as calls made from mobile applications or wifi calling.
Telecom companies will be allowed to destroy the data stored thereafter if there is no direction from the DoT. The circular said that the amendment is necessary in “public interest or in the interest of the security of the state or for the proper conduct of the telegraphs.”
