The government is putting in place a new system to allow blocking offensive and inflammatory content through SMSes and MMSes in affected states and regions alone.
Once the security and technical challenges involved are overcome, there will be no need for the kind of nationwide ban imposed last week on bulk SMSes and MMSes following attempts to incite communal sentiments and create fear among Indians of Northeastern origin.
The telecom sector told the government it is losing nearly Rs 300 crores following the nationwide curbs on SMSes and MMSes. Home ministry officials said the DoT is examining ways for a possible “regional ban” when only a few states are affected. In the past, the government had banned bulk SMSes in Jammu and Kashmir, but MHA officials claim it was not “foolproof”.
“We hope telecom companies will give top priority to security concerns and build safeguards to enable us to impose a ban in restricted areas alone,” an official said.