DoT drops penalty clause; exempts demonstration, testing by central govt from new interception rule

The Department of Telecom has removed the penalty clause for telecom entities violating interception norms under new rules. The Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules, 2024, mandate telecom entities to ensure adequate safeguards against unauthorised interceptions and retain the process of issuing interception orders, valid for 60 days and renewable for up to 180 days.