India Government Deactivates 85 Lakh Mobile Connections to Curb Spam and Cyber Crime
In a significant move to curb the misuse of mobile connections obtained through fake documentation, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has disconnected over 78.33 lakh mobile connections after reverification using an AI-based tool. An additional 6.78 lakh connections were terminated for involvement in cybercrimes. These actions underscore the government’s efforts to ensure secure and genuine telecom operations across the country.
Strengthening KYC Norms for Telecom Services
To bolster the Know Your Customer (KYC) framework, DoT has introduced stringent guidelines for telecom licensees. These guidelines necessitate the registration of Point of Sale (PoS) entities, including franchisees, distributors, and agents who enroll customers and issue SIM cards. Key requirements include:
- Biometric and physical verification of PoS entities.
- Police verification for PoS operating in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and the North East.
- Signing inter-agency agreements detailing roles, responsibilities, and penalties for violations.
- Blacklisting non-compliant PoS across all telecom service providers.
Violations could result in penalties of ₹10 lakh per instance per PoS, and unregistered PoS entities found enrolling customers after January 31, 2025, will face stringent consequences.
Enhanced KYC Processes
In addition to PoS guidelines, DoT has redefined the KYC process:
- Discontinuation of bulk connections and the introduction of business connections requiring individual KYC verification for each end-user.
- Implementation of a robust KYC mechanism for SIM swap or replacement to prevent fraudulent activities.
- Transition to paperless KYC as of January 1, 2024, promoting efficiency and security.
These measures aim to tighten the telecom industry’s regulatory framework, reduce instances of fraud, and ensure safer communication channels for citizens.
This update was provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, during a written reply to a Lok Sabha question on December 11, 2024.
