Highlights:
The government has made police verification of SIM card dealers mandatory to prevent fraud and fake usage of SIM cards.
WhatsApp has blocked around 66,000 accounts involved in fraudulent activities.
The government has banned the provision of wholesale connections and has deactivated 52 lakh mobile connections.
300 FIRs have been filed against SIM card dealers this year for fraudulent activities.
A fine of Rs 10 lakh will be imposed on dealers found violating the regulations.
The government has made police verification of SIM card dealers mandatory to prevent fraud and deception. Additionally, the provision of providing connections in bulk has been discontinued. The Minister of Communications, Ashwini Vaishnav, revealed this information on Thursday. Incidents of misuse of SIM cards have been frequently reported, and in response, WhatsApp itself has blocked approximately 66,000 accounts associated with fraudulent activities.
As per PTI reports, the government has already deactivated 52 lakh mobile connections and blacklisted 67,000 SIM card dealers. Since May 2023, around 300 FIRs have been registered against SIM card dealers for illegal activities. In order to curb fraud, the government has now made police verification mandatory for SIM card dealers. Dealers who violate the rules will face a penalty of Rs 10 lakh.
However, it should be noted that there are around 10 lakh SIM card dealers in the country, and they will be given sufficient time for police verification. The Department of Telecommunications has also discontinued the service of providing connections in bulk. The government will introduce a new concept for commercial connections. Additionally, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures will be conducted for businesses as well as individuals purchasing SIM cards. KYC helps in verifying the identity and address of an organization or investor.
And, the government’s decision to enforce police verification for SIM card dealers and discontinue bulk connections aims to prevent fraud and safeguard the interests of consumers. These measures will help maintain the integrity of the telecom industry and enhance customer security.
