Trai may seek powers to regulate app data flow

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is likely to seek more powers to regulate the flow of data from users to app makers, while defining what comprises personal information, as it finalises recommendations on data ownership, privacy and security that are likely to be released this month.

According to people aware of the discussions, the telecom regulator may suggest an amendment to the Trai Act or seek government intervention in getting the tools required to gain larger control on the data flowing through telecom networks, including that of apps riding on the networks. Any such move, though, may face strong resistance from app makers who say they are already regulated under the IT Act, say experts.

Trai’s recommendations, which are meant for the telecom sector, could also feed into the ongoing consultations of a committee headed by former Supreme Court Justice BN Srikrishna that is drafting India’s first law on data protection.

“The way to do so (get control over data on apps) could be by amending the Trai Act or asking the relevant ministry to give it powers to delve further into this issue,” said one person, revealing the contours of some of the recommendations that the telecom regulator may make.

“Excess permissions that apps take beyond the app’s usage also need to be relooked at... apps should be restricted from taking any unauthorised data or seeking more permissions than required to run the app,” the person added.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India