Players in telecom and technology speak out on banning selected apps

Once more, the telecom operators argued that they should receive a portion of the money generated by internet-based calling and messaging.

The Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) decision to restrict some apps has drawn criticism from the telecom and tech industry. A consultation document on the selective banning of apps had been released by TRAI. In order to protect national security, the government might use this to ensure that some apps, such as WhatsApp, could be restricted in some areas of the nation rather than the internet. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) argued in response that the messaging services should fall under a controlled licence. This will enable the government to block access to messaging services (like WhatsApp, Telegram, and others) in response to court orders.

Once more, the telecom operators argued that they should receive a portion of the money generated by internet-based calling and messaging. The telcos' major defence is that they make network investments and pay charges to maintain the traffic of apps where users may conduct phone calls and send messages, like WhatsApp. Some critics of the selective app ban disagreed with the idea that users would nonetheless find a method to communicate with others.

TheHindu reported that the Broadband India Forum stated in its response to TRAI that the selective app bans would not be effective since users are savvy enough to find alternatives to maintain communication. Selective restrictions therefore won't actually help the government achieve its fundamental goal. It wouldn't even have a significant effect and would just harm the app temporarily.

According to SFLC.in and other watchdogs for digital rights, India has ranked first in the world for blocking access to the internet during the past five years. It imposed nearly as many shutdowns in the first half of this year as it did in the entire year of 2022, claims Surfshark, a virtual private network (VPN) service located in the Netherlands.

The government regularly restricts particular websites or successfully pressures social media platforms to block information in India in addition to shutting down the internet. According to the group Access Now, that comprised close to 7,000 posts and social media profiles in the previous year.

A far wider discussion regarding the use of shutdowns, whether they are effective, and what social and economic implications they result in has evolved throughout India as Manipur has faced over 100 days of internet blackout this year.

Common people find it incredibly difficult to perform simple tasks like paying bills or making taxi reservations as a result of internet limitations. Therefore, selective app restriction may seem like a wise choice. But in the end, even despite the government's selective banning, users can still find a way to interact with other apps.