Sleazy messages flood mobile phones

• Channel partners offer sex chat, porn clippings and adult jokes for a price
• Sending porn content is punishable under Section 67 of the IT Act 2000

Hyderabad: Even as the Telangana government is taking a stern stand against porn sites, it seems mobile phone operators are airing obscene content at their will. Mobile users often get messages from service providers offering porn contents for a price.

The offers vary from ‘full length hot movie’, ‘secret of bedrooms’, ‘south beauty hot and sensuous actress sexy love scene’ etc at Rs 25 for three days. Sometimes the messages read: “Do not feel lonely when you are alone. Call me. I am Sonal. Friendship with me and other girls on phone and enjoy life in Rs 3 per min any time. Call 5567855” and “Bold and beautiful girls are waiting to chat with you. SMS GF to 55352 to chat. Rs 2/ SMS.”

Ironically, these messages are being sent to customers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a Central government agency. “You will get porn jokes on your mobile phone by just sending an e-mail, provided you are an adult,” is another message doing the rounds. “Are you more than 18 years? If yes, then come enjoy in the world of naughty jokes. For 'A' jokes SMS ADU to 56677 @ Rs 3/SMS,” says another message that BSNL customers get on a daily basis.

It may be recalled that recently, a special committee submitted an interim report to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with immediate special measures to improve safety and security of women and girls in the State. One of the recommendations made by the report was to ban websites with pornographic content as they are one of the major causes behind crime against women. With that, the State government has decided to block about 1,350 porn sites. However, it needs the approval of Union Home Ministry.

Social activists say it is high time that the government also blocks and bans airing of obscene contents by mobile operators in the lines of pornographic sites.

The offensive bombardment of messages continues despite the fact that it is punishable under Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000.

According to the BSNL officials, it is their channel partners who send these types of messages to customers.
“We will carefully monitor the messages sent by such channel partners. If such messages are found to be offensive, we will not allow it to be aired,” BSNL engineer Shastri said.

It is learnt that the agreement between the channel partners and the BSNL bans airing of obscene contents. “If such contents are noticed, we will forward it to our Delhi office and they will take necessary steps to ban this,” the official said.

The customers could stop receiving SMSs including promotional ones by simply activating ‘Do Not Call Me’ option, the officials said.

However, if the situation continues, customer is the ultimate sufferer. The objectionable content is enough to spoil future of vulnerable youth and bring a rift in family. “The need of the hour is to take the matter seriously and ensure smooth and clean communication without any vulgarity,” a BSNL customer from Trimugherry said.