Telecom Central Monitoring System in 10 circles by December

New Delhi: Security agencies may be able to lawfully intercept phone numbers without manual intervention from service providers by end of this year as government is likely to install Centralised Monitoring System in 10 out of the country's 22 service areas.

"The government has decided to set up a CMS for lawful interception monitoring which will facilitate the direct electronic provisioning of target number...without any manual intervention from telecom service providers. It may take some more time, say December 2013, to commission CMS in 10 service areas," said an official source.

Secret listener. Reuters

The source, however, did not disclose names of the service areas where the system would be installed.

At present, security agencies are required to approach telecom operators for intercepting communications of their targets like suspected terrorists and criminals.

The source said most of the research work has been completed and Centre for Development of Telematics has installed two servers -- one at state-run MTNL and the other one at TCIL under the pilot project.

The previous deadline for installing CMS was March-end but the government missed it because adequate infrastructure to house regional monitoring centre was not available, the source said.

The government is procuring equipments for regional monitoring centres. However, additional details related to this issue could not be ascertained.

In a separate note, Department of Telecom has proposed to raise penalty for unlawful interception from Rs 1 crore at present to Rs 2 crore under the Right to Privacy Bill in the works.

PTI