All Messages, Calls Over Network, Internet Will Be Stored For Two Years: Govt’s Orders All Telecom Firms

In the age wherein cybercrimes are rampant, any data point which can help us track down the source of untoward behavior is of significant importance. And that’s why the government of India has made significant changes in the rules which dictate the way call data is stored in the country.

Now companies will have to store the call data for 2 years

In a recent notification, the government of India has mandated storage of international calls, satellite phone calls, conference calls, and messages made over normal networks as well as on the internet for a period of at least two years. The circular directing the same has been issued by the telecom department.

The move comes in force after an amendment made in the unified license (UL) in December by the Department of Telecom (DoT). This amendment extended the storage of call data records as well as internet logs to two years from the earlier provision of one year.

“The licensee shall maintain all commercial records, call data record, exchange detail record, IP detail record with regard to the communications exchanged on the network. Such records shall be archived for at least two years for scrutiny by the licensor for security reasons and may be destroyed thereafter unless directed otherwise directed by the licensor,” the circular dated January 27 for voice mail, audio text, and unified messaging service license said.

This move will affect the operations of major telecom giants

It should be noted that UL holders are telecom companies like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, BSNL for providing all kinds of telecom services, except satellite phone services. The amendment also applies to companies like Tata Communications, Cisco’s Webex, AT&T Global Network, etc who have subscribed to these licenses

The DoT made amendments in the ILD license also includes provision for storing details of international communications made using internet protocol.

Additionally, a similar amendment has been issued for the license issued to BSNL for providing satellite phone calls and data services as well as for VSAT license holders who provide satellite-based services, requiring them to maintain call data and internet communications records for at least two years.