Phone tap: DoT, telcos meet

Two suggestions from industry on Tuesday have already found favour with DoT, which is already reviewing phone-tapping systems. Industry has suggested that the government should set up a single new central agency to monitor and operate all phone taps.

8216;8216;This body can have the central Home Secretary at the apex and State Home Secretaries as nodal officials. No wire taps should be allowed without their express approval,8217;8217; said industry sources present at the meeting.

A unanimous demand before DoT is that since mobile services are now failsafe, the task of monitoring phones should simply move out of operator premises to 8216;8216;the proposed new central agency.8217;8217;

Industry says it can provide high-speed links between their buildings and the proposed central agency or its state wing can give the government agencies as much access as they want 8212; but in their own buildings.

The private sector hopes it will not have to deal with 8216;independent8217; requests from local officials in telecom circles to tap anyone8217;s phone.