The Government is planning major changes in the Telegraph Act which among other things would make it mandatory for security agencies to obtain a clearance for passive tapping of telephonic conversations.
Currently, the Telegraph Act of 1885 does not have any section to regulate passive interception.
The move assumes significance as tapping of telephonic conversations of some key political leaders, including Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister and Congress leader Digvijay Singh, by a government agency, as reported by Outlook, had recently set off a political storm.
Under the changes proposed, private firms, including detective agencies using passive interception equipment, may have to surrender them to the government, sources said.
As per the proposed amendments, import of such equipment which helps in off-air recording of mobile conversations could be severely regulated and could also be licensed.
Another proposed amendment to the Act relates to preservation or deletion of tapped conversations, the sources said.
Only matters related to intelligence needs like terror related conversations will be kept as records. All other conversations will be deleted," they said.