Division seen whenever govt takes up Internet policy: Prasad

New Delhi: Recalling the recent uproar caused by the draft national encryption policy, Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Thursday said sharp division is seen on social media whenever the government takes up any policy around data or Internet.

"To be very honest with you, there is a view that whenever we take certain policies, the divide becomes very eminent and the social media becomes the platform. Surely, we have to consider all the views," Prasad said while speaking at a cyber conference organised by Observer Research Foundation.

He said: "Cynics and comics are part of the democracy and they are entitled to their views."

Prasad clarified: "The issue of privacy has to be addressed. You talked about encryption policy. I saw that some of the phrases were giving rise to apprehension. I immediately asked to recall it. It is part of our sensitivity to public opinion."

This year has seen a huge public outcry over Internet-related issues like Net neutrality and the draft encryption policy.

In fact, a DoT committee on Net neutrality drew a barrage of criticisms when it recommended regulation of Internet-based calls.

Last month, the Department of Electronics and IT issued a draft encryption policy which proposed that every message a user sends -- be it through WhatsApp, SMS, e-mail or any such service -- must be mandatorily stored in plain text format for 90 days and made available on demand to security agencies.

The government later withdrew it in the face of stiff opposition.

"I would look forward to deliberations there on these issues," Prasad said.

He let it be known that the government is firmly committed to the idea of Net neutrality, mainly for availability of Internet without discrimination.

"The larger framework is being worked out by TRAI... We are waiting for the result of that recommendation and then, we will take a final call," Prasad said.