Why in News?
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that telecom infrastructure providers store and process telecom network data only within India.
Key Highlights
- DoT barred telecom infrastructure providers from sharing telecom network data outside India.
- Covers cloud-based telecom networks, mobile tower operators, and satellite gateway providers.
- Mandates that all telecom network systems, data, logs, and related information be stored within India.
- No copies of such data can be routed, shared, or made available outside the country.
- Issued under the authorisation framework of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, replacing the earlier licensing regime.
Data Localisation
- Refers to storing and processing data within the country’s borders.
- Benefits:
- Strengthens national security and cyber resilience.
- Improves regulatory oversight and law enforcement access.
- Enhances protection of critical digital infrastructure.
- Challenges:
- Higher compliance costs for companies.
- Concerns over cross-border data flows and global cloud operations.
Telecommunications Act, 2023
- Replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
- Introduces an authorisation-based regime instead of licensing.
- Aims to strengthen telecom security, spectrum management, user protection, and digital infrastructure governance.
PYQ (2018, GS3, 15 Marks) Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyberspace?