Taking note of lack of compliance by Central and state intelligence agencies in surrendering off-air tapping equipment, the government has set a month’s deadline for them to do so, failing which stringent action will be taken.
In a note circulated to these agencies and key ministries, including personnel and training, the government stated, “All the off-air tapping, bugging and surveillance equipment should be surrendered within a month’s time starting September 1.”
“All agencies will have to appoint a nodal and supervising officer to complete this exercise, failing which disciplinary action will be taken against the nodal and supervising officer,” the note adds. According to government sources, nearly 1,100 unauthorised off-air machines are currently with government and private agencies. State police forces have been asked to seize equipment with private agencies.
With an off-air tapping equipment a person can snoop on someone’s cell phone without the service provider or the sanctioning authority learning of it.