Dialling The Wrong Number: 

Dialling The Wrong Number

Context:

  • The Union government’s order to re-verification of cellphone subscribers

What is the issue all about?

  • The government has directed the telecom operators to re-verify cellphone subscribers
  • The notice threatened disconnection of cellphone connections if a user failed to link their Aadhaar prior February 28, 2018

Why is the order being criticized?

  • Recently, the Supreme Court of India declared privacy as a fundamental right
  • The order is creating anxiety, irritation among users
  • Some of the users still may not have enrolled for Aadhaar
  • The count told that Aadhaar programme should be restricted to voluntary and specific services
  • The court nowhere uses the phrase “direction” which is a term of art contained in court orders to impart a binding force.
  • Misinterpretation of the court’s opinion may damage the institutional credibility of the Court
  • The Supreme Court has indicated that the pending litigation on Aadhaar will be finally heard in November.

What is the existing procedure for cellular subscribers?

  • Since the Union government is the custodian of the airwaves, it issues licenses to private companies to provide mobile voice and data services.
  • Telecom operators are governed by regulations including those for subscriber verification by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT)
  • Pre-existing norms required cellular users to furnish a valid government identification for availing mobile services and some form of additional verification.
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