To monitor data, India may ask firms for VoIP software

India is likely to follow the footsteps of the Chinese government to keep tabs on the voice over internet protocol (VoIP) service providers.

The Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently suggested the internet service providers (ISPs) offering or planning to offer VoIP in India provide Indianised versions of the software, just as in China.

The move is likely to affect popular services such as Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Gtalk and Fring.

This, the MHA believes, would help the government to monitor or intercept such services that can’t be monitored at present. To create pressure on the VoIP service providers, the MHA has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to block all VoIP services that cannot be monitored or intercepted in audible or viewable format.

HEARING AID
DoT may be asked to stop services that can’t be tracked

Companies that offer VoIP services in India

• Skype  
• Yahoo Messenger  
• Rediffbol
• GTalk
• VoIP Discount
• IBIBO
• Vomar
• Xpertel
• Fring
• Ibootel
• Asterix PBX

Source: MHA communication

While the MHA noted immediate implementation would be difficult, it has asked DoT to modify the licence terms making it mandatory for all the VoIP service providers to offer services in audible or viewable format.

Until this can be implemented, the DoT might look at blocking unsolicited sites with an “authentication failed” message and these sites could be blocked at domain name system (DNS) of ISPs with DNS filters, added the MHA. The MHA noted as services like Skype function using unused or available computer resources of users, large “honey pot” servers could be installed to enable maximum data flow through these. This would enable the study of its technical and statistical information. A honey pot is used as a trap to detect and deflect unauthorised use of information systems.

Social sites
The Intelligence Bureau has suggested all social service sites such as Facebook must obtain licence from DoT to operate with binding conditions. According to an analyst, the government needs to monitor such services as most are likely to go for VoIP once the government allows it.