India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has implemented comprehensive measures to combat SIM card fraud and enhance personal document security, building on its previous efforts to address mounting telecom fraud losses that have reached $113.3 billion nationwide.
Under the new regulations, all franchisees, point of sale (PoS) agents, and distributors must register with telecom operators within a 12-month period. Major private telecommunications companies, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have completed their agent registrations by January 31, 2025, while state-operated Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has requested an extension due to technical issues.
The DoT has strengthened Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements by eliminating the bulk connections framework and implementing a business connections system requiring KYC verification for each end-user before activation. Enhanced KYC protocols have been established for SIM swap and replacement procedures to address vulnerabilities that have led to losses through SIM swap fraud, a growing threat that has caused significant financial losses globally.
“The mandate of verification would help in eliminating the rogue PoS who by fraudulent practices issue SIMs to anti-social or anti-national elements,” said a DoT official. The official added that private telcos have 400,000-600,000 PoS across the country, and under the mandate effective April 1, written agreements between PoS and telecom operators will be required, with illegal activities resulting in termination and three-year blacklisting.
The government has introduced a platform called Chakshu for reporting fraudulent activities and spam calls, complementing the recently launched Caller Name Display (CNAP) system designed to combat spam calls through verified caller identification. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is implementing blockchain technology, specifically Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), to manage spam control measures and maintain immutable records of message origins.
The emergence of eSIM technology has introduced new considerations in fraud management. While eSIMs offer enhanced security through device integration and remote management capabilities, they also present new challenges, including increased vulnerability to BOT-based attacks and exploitation of IoT devices. The development follows the GSMA’s standardization efforts for eSIM implementation in IoT devices.
Telecom operators are implementing advanced monitoring systems and predictive call pattern analysis using AI to identify potential SIMBox activities, reflecting a broader industry trend of leveraging AI for enhanced cybersecurity defense. The Do-Not-Disturb (DND) registry has been established to allow customers to opt out of commercial communications, with telecom providers required to incorporate DND reporting capabilities within their applications.
Sources: Mobile ID World, Synaptique
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