Lok Sabha Question No. 4131 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Security of Free and Public Wi-Fi
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4131 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2020

## SECURITY OF FREE AND PUBLIC WI-FI

## †4131. SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take adequate steps to ensure data privacy of users and security of free and public Wi-Fi connections being provided at various places of the country i.e. Railway stations, Airport and other public places and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory to display information regarding safe internet browsing and user manual for the places proving free and public Wi-Fi; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) Yes,  Government  has  taken  adequate  steps  to  ensure  data  privacy  of  users  and  the security of free and public Wi-Fi connections being provided at several locations of the country such  as  railway  stations,  airports  and  other  public  places.  Department  of  Telecommunications (DoT) has issued instructions in February 2009 to licensed Telecom Service Providers regarding safeguards in provision of Wi-Fi Internet services in the delicensed frequency band for secure use of Wi-Fi services including those provided at public places i.e. Hotel, Restaurants, Airports, Malls, Shops and Railway Stations through Hotspot. Further, Best practices on Security in Public Wi-Fi Implementations has also been shared with Internet service Providers (ISPs).
- (b) and (c) As of now, there is no proposal in the Department to make it mandatory to display information at aforementioned locations regarding the safe internet browsing and usage practices for public Wi-Fi connections. However, Government has instructed Telecom Service Providers/Internet Service Providers under Unified License (Similar provisions in other Licences also)  to  protect  the  interest  of  the  stakeholders/customers  and  privacy  of  the  individual  as indicated below:

'37.2  Subject  to  terms  and  conditions  of  the  license,  the  Licensee  shall  take  all necessary steps to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of any information about a third party and its business to whom it provides the Service and from whom it has

acquired  such  information  by  virtue  of  the  Service  provided  and  shall  use  its  best endeavours to secure that:

- a) No person acting on behalf of the Licensee or the Licensee divulges or uses any such information except as may be necessary in the course of providing such Service to the Third Party; and
- b) No such person seeks such information other than is necessary for the purpose of providing Service to the Third Party.

Provided the above para shall not apply where:

- i) The information relates to a specific party and that party has consented in writing to such information being divulged or used, and such information is divulged or used in accordance with the terms of that consent; or
2. ii) The information is already open to the public and otherwise known.

37.3  The  Licensee  shall  take  necessary  steps  to  ensure  that  the  Licensee  and  any person(s) acting on its behalf observe confidentiality of customer information.

39.4 The LICENSEE shall ensure protection of privacy of communication and ensure that unauthorized interception of messages does not take place'.

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