The Indian government is considering new telecom legislation that would cover social media platforms and messaging services like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal. Among the things included in the bill is a broader definition of telecommunications
services. It includes broadcasting services and internet-based communication. Industry experts claim that the broader definition might mean communication and messaging platforms will have to follow the same rules as telecoms, taking licenses and sharing
revenue with the government. Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the bill will require KYC (know your customer) data for call and messaging apps to identify callers. Collecting KYC data is not currently possible for internet-based calls
for example. So, the government is holding consultations to find a solution. The bill would also give the government the power to intercept messages on internet-based communication services. The government is currently considering input from
stakeholders. | 
