Centre mulls unit to check phone tapping

Feb 16, 2011 |

Correspondent

New Delhi, Feb. 15: The Centre is planning to set up a central monitoring unit under the department of telecom to monitor all cases of phone tapping authorised by it and enable secrecy during lawful interception. The move is aimed at insulating government-authorised interception and telephone tapping from the telecom service providers to safeguard against misuse and leaks.

The government has also asked the Intelligence Bureau to submit a report entailing details of individuals and entities who have imported 2,000-plus equipments capable of passive and telephone interception.

An official said that while such equipment may have been imported from various countries following legal procedures, they might have been used in carrying out unlawful interception.

The committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary to frame suggestions to counter illegal phone tapping has recommended the setting up of a central montioring unit under DoT to montior tapping by various government agencies, a senior government official said.

The committee, which is believed to have submitted its report to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has said that states should submit monthly reports on cases of phone tapping to the Centre.

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