New Delhi (24.12.2021): The Department of Telecom (DoT) has increased the duration of archiving call data and internet usage records of subscribers to two years from one year due to security reason. “The licensee shall maintain all commercial records, call detail records, exchange detail record and IP detail record with regard to communication exchanged on the network. These records shall be archived for at least two years by the licensor for security reasons,” DoT circular said.

Telecom companies may destroy the data stored thereafter if there is no direction from DoT. The DoT circular said that this amendment is necessary in public interest of the security of the state. The amendment mandates telecom companies to maintain internet data records of subscribers for services provided such as internet access, e mail, internet telephony services like calls made from mobile application or wifi calling for at least two years.