India has implemented new regulations requiring mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric verification for all new SIM card issuances, as part of broader efforts to prevent fraud and cybercrime through mobile connections obtained with fake documents. The initiative builds upon India’s growing digital identity infrastructure, which has seen widespread adoption of Aadhaar-based eKYC systems across various sectors.
The directive, issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), requires strict compliance from SIM card sellers to verify customer identity through biometric authentication linked to Aadhaar, India’s national identity system. The measure follows earlier initiatives where authorities launched verification drives for suspicious mobile connections as part of national security measures.
The decision emerged from a telecom sector review meeting that identified fraudulent SIM cards as enablers of financial scams. Investigations uncovered cases of multiple SIM cards being linked to single devices in violation of telecom regulations. The new requirements are part of other recent measures, including the implementation of a Caller Name Display system to combat spam calls.
The DoT is collaborating with law enforcement agencies through the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), sharing data gathered from AI-based detection tools to identify and act against fraudulent mobile connections. The department has already disconnected over 26.7 million mobile connections based on citizen complaints and AI analysis. The effort is part of a larger initiative that includes multiple cybersecurity measures and fraud prevention systems recently launched by the Indian government.
Enforcement measures include legal action against non-compliant retailers, with 365 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against SIM card sellers across India who issued cards using fake documents. The crackdown has been particularly intensive in regions like Kashmir, where authorities have enhanced telecom security measures to prevent SIM card fraud.
The regulations incorporate data protection measures, prohibiting mobile companies from storing or reusing biometric data collected during the Aadhaar verification process. All biometric data is encrypted immediately upon capture during verification, supporting India’s broader push toward secure digital identity verification across government services and financial institutions.
Sources: IndiaTV News, The Economic Times, Startup News, My Aadhaar
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