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The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has provided input to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding its consultation paper on “Regulatory Mechanism for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services.” TRAI is seeking feedback on whether changes are necessary to the current regulatory framework for OTT services in India, as well as options to extend regulations to a wider range of digital and communications services.

CCIA’s comments address the issues with specialized OTT regulatory frameworks and express concerns about the proposed mechanisms for government officials to block specific services. The association argues that these frameworks are technically infeasible and pose significant threats to internet freedom.

This initiative by TRAI is part of the Government of India’s broader efforts to revamp its digital governance frameworks. CCIA has previously submitted comments to TRAI and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on regulatory convergence and the Draft Telecom Bill, 2022.

CCIA, which has been advocating for tech policy that promotes innovation for over 50 years, emphasizes that introducing a separate regulatory framework for over-the-top services is unnecessary given the existing measures in place. The association also raises concerns about potential government tools to block services without sufficient oversight, which could negatively impact internet freedom, privacy, and security in India.

CCIA is an international, non-profit trade association representing a wide range of communications and technology firms. Its members play a significant role in the global economy, employing over 1.6 million workers, investing billions in research and development, and contributing trillions of dollars in productivity. Visit their website for more information.

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