Draft’s not Centre’s view, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

New Delhi: Communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the draft National Encryption Policy was placed in the public domain simply to seek comments and suggestions from people.

“I wish to make it very clear that it is just a draft and not the view of the government. But I have noted some of the concerns expressed by certain enlightened segments of the public,” he said.

Mr Prasad explained that most ordinary Internet users will not come under the ambit of the encryption policy that will be framed by the government. The minister, however, maintained that there was a need for an encryption policy which would apply to those involved in encrypting a messaging product “for a variety of reasons”.

“The right of articulation and freedom... we fully respect but at the same time, we need to acknowledge that cyberspace transactions are rising enormously for individuals, businesses, the government and companies,” said the minister. The controversial draft gave a handle to the Opposition to target the Narendra Modi government.