DoT wants to know how to block Facebook, WhatsApp

The telecom department has asked operators and internet service providers to give options on how to block social media apps such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Telegram, Instagram amongst others.“…requested to explore various possible options and confirm how the Instagram/Facebook/Whatsapp/Telegram and other such mobile apps can be blocked on internet,” said the letter sent by Department of Telecommunications on July 18.The letter stated that Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has raised issues regarding the social media sites and the matter was also discussed during a meeting with DoT in July. During the meeting, technical inputs were sought from the ISPs and telcos present on the possibility of blocking selected mobile apps. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in its response to the DoT said that curbing of social media sites was “excessive, unnecessary and would greatly harm India’s reputation as growing hub of innovation in technology”.

from The Economic Times https://ift.tt/2AVWZg7