Is it possible to have partial app bans?

Source– The post is based on the article “Is it possible to have partial app bans?” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Indian Polity

Relevance: Right to Internet

News- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought inputs on having “selective” app bans instead of internet shutdowns

What is the history of Internet shutdowns in India?

Internet shutdowns are imposed in States and districts across India from time to time to maintain law and order.

It has a straining effect on access to education, work, banking, and information. As such, the government has sought to impose restrictions rather than complete shutdown.

In Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Manipur, authorities have gradually loosened long-term restrictions.

How would the TRAI move work?

The approach suggested by TRAI would require telecom operators and messaging app firms like WhatsApp to cooperate with each other and stop access to services during a shutdown.

What are the past efforts towards app regulation?

In 2015 and 2018, the TRAI had held consultations on regulating messaging apps.

Telecom operators argued in favour as messaging apps bypass stringent security and surveillance regulations.

However, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and the TRAI rejected this argument. Later, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology amended the IT Rules, 2021 to trace the original sender of a forwarded message.

What about regulating or blocking VPNs?

The government has been showing concerns against Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) because of its encrypted nature.

VPN firms usually route data through servers located in another country, and change the IP addresses to evade detection and blocking.

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) published directions in 2022 requiring VPN firms to retain records of users from India led to shifting of servers located in India.

However, Internet rights activists say that blocking VPNs would be a damaging move for online privacy specially for journalists, whistle-blowers and activists as it protects them from surveillance and censorship.