‘Weakest link’: COAI pushes for regulation of WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has called for over-the-top (OTT) communication services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to be brought under a formal regulatory framework, citing national security concerns and a widening oversight gap.

In a statement titled “Strengthening India’s Digital Frontiers”, COAI Director General S.P. Kochhar argued that OTT platforms, which offer voice and messaging functions similar to telecom networks, continue to operate with minimal regulatory obligations. “The weakest link in the current communications security chain lies in OTT communication services, which largely escape regulatory oversight,” Kochhar said.