DoT has confirmed that The Union Home Ministry has written them to ensure effective monitoring of Twitter and Facebook account activities in order to strengthen cyber security. Milind Deora, minister of state for communications and
information technology, said “the department works with all
concerned parties to obtain lawful access to it.”
In a release the IT ministry says, “The Telecom Service Providers provide facilities for lawful interception and monitoring of
communication flowing through their network including communications from social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter, as per the terms and conditions of their
licence agreements”.
But most of the companies do not agree to share the sensitive user information with the security agencies until they have official court orders or other valid legal process
document. Top listing social networking sites did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Twitter, however said if such an order will be forced, they will
inform their users in question before sharing their information.
The government recently updated its IT rules, virtually making internet service providers, web hosts and websites such as Facebook and Twitter accountable for any wrongdoings
through their platforms. The IT Rules also give the government the power to block any or all communications and/or website, if they deem fit, without any oversight
(prevention of misuse) or identified recourse for the block.