Security agencies unable to decode some intercepted communication

NEW DELHI: Security agencies are still unable to decrypt some intercepted communication into readable format even after multiple efforts by the government to ensure real time interception of messages transmitted through telecom networks in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"Security agencies are able to intercept the services, including Blackberry Messenger (BBM), Nokia Pushmail, Skype, Yahoo, Gmail etc through lawful interception... However, security agencies have intimated that they are not able to decrypt some encrypted intercepted communication to readable format," Minister of State for Telecom Milind Deora informed the Lok Sabha in written reply.

The government has been insisting that telecom operators provide access to all communication send through their network, mainly for the national security reason.

Deora said telecom service providers (TSPs) have stated that they have provided the requisite interception facilities to security agencies.

"With regard to decrypting the intercepted communication, it is stated that TSPs are mere carriers, who are not supposed to know the content of the intercepted messages and may not be able to decrypt the content," Deora said.

Globally several service providers are providing services like BBM, Nokia Pushmail, Skype and others for sharing audio, video, e-mail and other form communication services.

The messages send using these services are secured using encyption technology that include complex codes with an intention to prevent it from hackers and other cyber criminals.