CCI dismisses case against Vodafone
The Competition Commission of India has dismissed a case against Vodafone India that it abused its dominant position by charging discriminatory prices while roaming abroad, according to this Press Trust of India report. A complainant had alleged that Vodafone charged exorbitant prices for international data roaming. The report added that the relevant market in the instant case appears to be competitive and customers therein have choices. The players are comparable with each other in terms of size, resources and expertise, it added.
Blocking websites not the way: Deity official
In the backdrop of the government ordering 240 websites to be blocked by Internet service providers, a senior official from the department of electronics and information technology (Deity) said that blocking websites does not solve the problem as new ones are created almost instantly, according to this PTI report. Last week, the home ministry ordered blocking of 240 websites which offered escort services on the recommendation of an expert committee. In August 2015, the government had ordered blocking of 857 porn websites (some of them weren’t porn websites at all). However, the government backtracked on its decision after it was widely criticized.
International legal framework for cyber security needed
Gulshan Rai, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, stressed the need for an international legal framework to make a user safe on the Internet, according to a PTI report. Rai added that there are a number of cross-border issues as users are storing data on the cloud without an idea about the server’s location. He also emphasised on the need for cooperation among nations to protect data and keep a check on crimes. Earlier this month, India and the United States said that they would be signing a complete framework for US-India Cyber Relationship. The countries resolved to enhance cyber collaboration on critical infrastructure, cybercrime, and malicious cyber activity.
TRAI wants an ombudsman for consumer complaints
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wants to set up an ombudsman to resolve consumer complaints in the telecom sector, reports the Economic Times. The proposed body will be independent and will mediate settlements between consumers and service providers. It will act as a one stop solution for complaints and its recommendations are binding on all players. An official told the publication that TRAI would be approaching the department of telecommunications with the proposal. It also pointed out that Trai has been requesting DoT to set up an ombudsman for the industry since 2004.
