NEW DELHI: A committee set up by the department of telecom (DoT) has recommended steps to regulate and monitor content on mobile applications, including location of data servers in the country - a move that may impact the operation of popular apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook .

While looking into the issue of net neutrality, the panel has flagged cyber security and its implications for the country, along with privacy concerns to argue for licensing agreements for the over-the-top (OTT) service providers.

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It feared that crucial consumer data as well as national security information may be compromised by the fast-paced proliferation of applications on mobile phones, likening the threat of data pilferage and misuse to the (Edward) "Snowden saga" of the US.

"There is a need to define a new architecture to keep pace with the technological developments that explicitly protects net neutrality but retains the ability of the state to ensure national security, maintain public order, safeguard privacy and protect data," the committee said. It suggested that till the time an appropriate legal framework is enacted, the government may put in place "interim provisions enforceable through licensing conditions".

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It also raised concern over the possible pilferage of data and privacy of consumers in the absence of an appropriate legal framework. "The existing law affords protection to the subscriber from unlawful interception as well as unlawful access to data and information. These provisions act to safeguard privacy and ensure data protection. However, this ability stands affected with the advent of application providers where the data and information reside outside national jurisdiction," the committee said.

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Delving further into the issue, it said that user information can be compromised through this way. "New business models have emerged where the service is provided free to the user, but the information generated out of the usage of the service can be monetized without the specific knowledge of the user or provided to external agencies without consent (like the Snowden saga)."

The committee said national security is paramount, regardless of the treatment of net neutrality. The committee said inter-ministerial consultations are required to work out measures to ensure compliance of security-related requirements for OTT service providers or internet applications that ride the network of telecom operators.

