On whether to regulate over-the-top (OTT) players or apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, major ministries disagree.

From the standpoint of public safety and national security, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) support the idea of regulating OTTs, or apps. At current time, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is opposed to any type of regulation.

The ministries have provided their opinions as part of the DoT’s consultation process on the topic of app regulation.

No remarks have been made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). MIB feels that material and online news fall under its purview and that no other department should be involved, according to officials with knowledge of the situation.