Telegram Is "Like Frankenstein": Centre Defends Move To Block Platform
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Cyber security· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) blocked Telegram in India until June 22nd due to its role in facilitating the NEET paper leak and other criminal activities.
Background
The Indian government cited Telegram's cloud-based architecture and bot features as facilitators for anonymous communication and illegal activities like drug trafficking and cyber scams. Telegram has challenged the ban as unconstitutional, claiming it removed over 900 links related to the NEET leak.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyMeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) is the nodal ministry for regulating social media and digital platforms in India.
- FactTelegram blocked in India until June 22nd (current year) specifically citing the NEET paper leak and criminal misuse.
- S&TTelegram utilizes a cloud-based architecture and automated 'bots' to facilitate large-scale group communications.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in regulating end-to-end encrypted and cloud-based messaging platforms while balancing the fundamental right to privacy and freedom of speech.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory friction: Conflict between state security mandates and the constitutional right to privacy under the Puttaswamy judgment.
- Technical bottleneck: Difficulty in monitoring anonymous bot-driven communications and decentralized cloud-based data storage.
- Enforcement gap: Balancing proactive platform moderation by private entities versus reactive state-led blocking of digital infrastructure.
Keywords: Digital Sovereignty · Right to Privacy · Cyber Security · Platform Regulation · End-to-End Encryption
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