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Comment by antikneejerk | Hacker News Reader

I read the linked source. Could not find any reference to any Indian law or Govt. order. Can you please point me to any source with credible information on the supposed provisions which are causing Signal to "exit" India.

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Its was a proposed law (to solicit feedback). Signal is not exiting but would exit if such law comes to India.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-proposes-law-...

But Telecom Authority of India rules out any immediate intervention.

https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/trai-rules-out-reg...

I couldn't quote from the article here but looks like they are going to wait till clarity emerges from International jurisdiction.

I am looking for that proposed law to understand the provisions. Can you please give me a link to that if it is available.

Proposed law draft (I hate that news outlets do not link to the law they discuss) https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft%20Indian%20Tele...

Thanks

Thanks. This bill seems to be about telecom infrastructure. Does not talk about metadata, or encryption. As far as I can find does not seem to touch on messaging apps as well. Was anyone able to find anything related to which provision in the bill would impact Signal.

> “telecommunication services" means service of any description (including [..] electronic mail, voice mail, voice, video and data communication services, [..], internet based communication services,

Which I think Signal would fall under at least one of those services.

you can control+f your way through to see everything related to that phrase.

It's explicit on the interception of any kind of data.

It defines message as:

  “message” means any sign, signal, writing, image, sound, video, data stream or intelligence or information intended for telecommunication;

And then it says that said "messages" can be "intercepted or detained or disclosed", for a really wide range of reasons, apparently without the intervention of a judge.

  24.4 On the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety, the Central Government or a State Government or any officer specially authorized in this behalf by the Central or a State Government, may, if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so, in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, or preventing incitement to an offence, for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order:

  (a) direct that any message or class of messages, to or from any person or class of persons, or relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by, or transmitted or received by any telecommunication services or telecommunication network, shall not be transmitted, or shall be intercepted or detained or disclosed to the officer mentioned in such order;

Thanks. To me it looks like client side encryption should be fine, or real P2P for that matter. Officer: give me the messages

Service: here they are

Officer: decrypt for me

Service: Sorry, don't have the keys.

The power of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) is also proposed to be curtailed in the same bill [0].

[0] https://www.outlookindia.com/business/proposal-to-curtail-tr...

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-proposes-law-...

Thanks. Again this article does not link to the supposed draft bill, and what it actually says. They directly jump to saying government wants to "intercept". How does the Govt propose to intercept? What was actually proposed in the bill? They also say the Govt. is seeking public feedback on the draft. Ideally this news source should link to the draft in question so that people can read, and raise their objections.

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