In India, pesky ‘spam’ calls and messages are an increasing menace. According to various news reports and surveys, a significant portion of users in India are vulnerable to such telemarketing activities on a daily basis.
In contrast to traditional advertising (which would typically take place through television commercials, radio or print advertisements), advertisements in today’s day and age come in different shapes and forms. In this age of social media, users are vulnerable to covert advertisements and masked endorsements by celebrities and influencers who are promoting certain goods and services without the appropriate disclosures.
The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued an operating circular on 10 January 2023 (OC) allowing use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) by non-resident Indians (NRI) using their international mobile numbers.
In early August 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019 (2019 Bill), which was reworked on by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), promising that they would release a more comprehensive data protection framework to take into account the recommendations of the JPC.
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) issued ‘Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022’ (Bill) on 21 September 2022. The Bill seeks to override three legislations (i.e., the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950). The public consultation for the Bill is open till 20 October 2022.
The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued an operating circular (NPCI/UPI/OC No 153/2022-23) on 5 July 2022 (OC) stipulating guidelines for capturing customer location on Unified Payments Interface (UPI).The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued an operating circular (NPCI/UPI/OC No 153/2022-23) on 5 July 2022 (OC) stipulating guidelines for capturing customer location on Unified Payments Interface (
In a recent development, on 27 June 2022, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued guidelines for captive non-public network (CNPN) license (CNPN Guidelines) and leasing of spectrum to enterprises (Spectrum Leasing Guidelines) (collectively referred to as the Guidelines), along with corresponding amendments to existing telecom licenses (Amendments).
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has commenced the process for auction of spectrum in various frequency bands to introduce 5G services in India. As a first step, a ‘Notice Inviting Applications’ (NIA) has been issued on 15 June 2022.
On 24 May 2022, the Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) has exempted certain categories of telegraph from ‘mandatory testing and certification of telecommunications equipment’ (MTCTE) requirements set out under the Indian Telegraph Rules 1951 (as amended) (Telegraph Rules) due to overlapping certification requirements applicable to certain electronic equipment.
