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Private mobile operators like Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices can restart providing video calls as part of their 3G services in the New Year. This comes after the security imbroglio between the operators and the security agencies was resolved a couple of days back with the former giving an undertaking that within the next six months, they would start providing real-time interception of video calls. Currently, such calls can be monitored with a time lag of five to eight minutes, prompting security agencies to ask the operators to stop providing video calls. A tripartite agreement is being drafted between the security agencies, telecom industry associations and the DoT that real-time monitoring of such calls will be available in the next six months failing which such calls will be barred.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday warned telecom companies and private detective agencies against indulging in any kind of unauthorised interception of telephone calls, saying that those caught will be booked and punished as per the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act. “It has come to the notice that some persons, companies, including Public Sector Undertakings, private vendors and private detective agencies are establishing, maintaining or operating unauthorised communications network, including wireless network for unauthorised monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communications, and some times are importing these equipment for demonstration purpose to Law Enforcing Agencies for short duration,” DoT said in a statement. “Such type of acts violates the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and persons or companies involved in such types of acts are liable to punishment as per provision of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933,” it added. This Act gives powers to the government to seize the equipment and also carries a maximum punishment of three-year imprisonment.

Crime rate in the city has recorded a steady downtrend since January this year with the police bringing on record the profile of over 12,000 criminals involved in more than 30,000 cases, Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran said on Wednesday. “We have a database of all habitual offenders, who came to the adverse notice of police since 1998 and their activities are being closely monitored. Some fresh offenders and inter-State gangs are indulging in crimes such as chain-snatching and burglaries. Of late, students are also getting involved in crimes… three students were arrested in connection with a crime in Pulianthope,” he told reporters on Wednesday. The details about the crime rate would be released in the first week of January.