Latest news with #TelecomCyberSecurity)Rules
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
DoT plans mobile ID checks to curb cyber fraud
The telecom department has proposed tightening its cybersecurity rules , under which it can now direct telecom operators and other entities like banks, financial institutions, e-commerce players, etc., to verify mobile numbers or identities of users through a centralised platform, in another step to curb online fraud and spoofing. The stakeholders can verify the mobile numbers of users by paying a prescribed fee for using the platform, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed in a draft notification to amend the Telecommunications ( Telecom Cyber Security ) Rules, 2024. "With a view to ensuring telecom cyber security and prevent security incidents, the Central Government shall by itself, or through an agency authorised by the Central Government, establish a MNV ( mobile number validation ) platform and issue directions to authorised entities and licensees, as regards the form and manner in which to participate on such platform," DoT said in the draft notification. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 경고: 이 게임 진짜 중독성 쩔어요. 지금 해봐! Hero Wars 플레이하기 Undo Further, the government can issue directions to phone makers to provide assistance as required in relation to tampered devices bearing International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. The manufacturers can also be asked not to assign IMEIs that are already in use in telecommunication networks in India, to new telecommunication equipment that are being manufactured in India or imported to India. Live Events As per the draft rules, the Central government shall, either directly or through an agency authorised by it, will maintain a database of IMEIs which are tampered, or whose use has been restricted. If the government considers that immediate action is necessary or expedient in public interest, it shall without issuing a notice, pass an order to the telcos to temporarily suspend the use of a mobile number. "The proposed Telecom Cybersecurity Amendment Rules 2025 represent a strong policy move toward securing India's digital infrastructure. By mandating verification of user identifiers through a centralized government platform, the regulation aims to reduce telecom-related fraud and enhance digital accountability across sectors," Tarun Wig, co-founder & CEO at Innefu Labs said. However, the broader implications include potential friction around data privacy, integration complexity, and the cost of compliance especially for smaller digital platforms and startups. "Operationalizing such a system at scale while ensuring minimal disruption and maximum data protection will be a key challenge," Wig said.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
DoT puts out draft rules to enable mobile user validation
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Wednesday published draft notifications that would allow private companies to verify the identity of a phone number's user, whether on their own, or upon receiving an order by the Union or State governments. The draft Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025 modify the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 released last year. ''The draft rules introduce a new category called 'Telecommunication Identifier User Entities' (TIUEs), which is so broadly defined that it could apply to almost any company using telecom identifiers such as mobile numbers to identify users or deliver services,' said Sumeysh Srivastava, who analyses the telecom industry for The Quantum Hub think tank. 'For private digital platforms, this could mean mandatory mobile number verification through a new government-run system, which brings added costs and potential technical challenges. What's concerning is that the rules don't clearly limit which types of platforms will be covered. And since many platforms already have their own ways of verifying users, it's unclear whether this added step will actually make the internet safer.' A senior government official pointed to language in the draft that says that TIUEs 'may' suo motu or upon direction by the government, engage in the validation envisioned in the rules. Validations would cost State and Union governments nothing, but private firms will be required to pay the government and the telecom operator upwards of ₹3 plus taxes per request. IMEI database On top of the groundwork for phone number validation, the draft rules also say that the government would maintain a database of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers that are restricted, which would be blocked on telecom operators. IMEI numbers are unique serial numbers attached to phones and other personal electronics that use SIM cards. ' A person engaged in the sale and purchase in India of used telecommunication equipment bearing IMEI numbers, shall, prior to such sale or purchase, apply for access to the [said] database … in the form and manner as specified on the portal, along with payment of fees of ten rupees per IMEI, and ensure that it does not, directly or indirectly, undertake sale or purchase of any telecommunication equipment bearing IMEI number that is specified in such database,' the draft rules say. The draft will accept comments until July 24.
