These global carriers will also be allowed to transfer user information of their clients to locations outside India.

Surprisingly, the intelligence agencies did not raise the national security concerns regarding this crucial decision of the DoT. When the otherwise useful VOIP services have been recommended to be banned by the intelligence bureau (IB) there is no reason why remote access should be allowed.

Is it the double standards adopted by the IB and DoT or are they serving the commercial interests of the big telecom service providers? It is high time that the Central government must step in and take some concrete steps to avoid immature decisions of these natures.

Constituting a core group or task force in this regard may be helpful especially for a department like DoT that has been continuously providing absurd policy decisions from time to time.