Indian Govt. warns against unauthorised phone tapping

New Delhi (PTI) Taking a serious note of some telecom companies and private detective agencies operating unauthorised interception of telephone calls, the government today said such companies or agencies indulging in these practices will be booked and punished as per the provisions of Indian Telegraph Act.

In a written statement, the Department of Telecom today issued a statement saying the power of interception of telegraph messages in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India.

“It has come to our notice that some persons, companies, including Public Sector Undertakings, private vendors and private detective agencies are establishing, maintaining or operating unauthorised communications network, including wireless network for unauthorised monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communications, and sometimes are importing these equipments for demonstration purposes to Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) for short duration,” the statement said.

“Such type of acts violate the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and persons or companies involved in such types of acts are liable to punishment as per provision of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933,” it added.

This act gives powers to the government to seize the equipment, and also carries a punishment for maximum of three years with a fine of Rs. 1,000.

The statement said that under the law, no equipment or sub-system can be used for unauthorised communication network, monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communication.

“The persons and companies who imported, procured or possess the equipments or sub-systems capable of monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communication are directed to inform the details of such equipment within 60 days to the respective Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells of Department of Telecommunications (DoT),” the statement said.

The information about persons or companies who possess, have imported or procured or assembled or manufactured the equipments or sub-systems having capabilities of monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communication is also being independently compiled by the government through its own sources, the government warned.

It said the persons or companies who will not be filing information within 60 days of publication or indulge in suppressing the facts will render them liable for prosecution under the law.