DoT Proposes Stricter Cybersecurity Rules to Tackle Mobile Number Fraud
Mobile Number Validation (MNV) Platform to Boost Security
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed significant amendments to the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 to fight the growing menace of mobile number-based fraud in India.
Key Proposal:
- Mobile Number Validation (MNV) Platform:
- A new, centralized platform will enable telecom operators, banks, financial institutions, and ecommerce companies to verify users’ mobile numbers.
- Verification Process:
- Entities can place a request on the MNV platform to confirm whether a mobile number matches the user’s official details.
- Stakeholders must pay a prescribed fee: INR 1.5 per request (on government direction) or INR 3 per request (for other use cases).
Why It Matters:
- Rising Digital Fraud:
- Indians lost INR 1,935.51 crore to digital arrest scams in 2024, with over 1.23 lakh complaints reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
- In just the first two months of 2025, over 17,700 digital arrest scams have already been recorded.
- Government Crackdown:
- Over 1 crore mobile connections were disconnected in 2024 to combat fraud, with more than 2.27 lakh handsets blocked for cybercrime involvement.
- Additional Initiatives:
- Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): A secure platform for real-time intelligence sharing among stakeholders.
- Chakshu: A citizen reporting facility for suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages.
Industry Collaboration:
- Telecom Operators Taking Action:
- For example, Airtel launched an AI-based fraud detection system, reportedly protecting 3.5 million users in Delhi from cyber threats.
Data Protection and Compliance:
- Authorised entities must comply with India’s data protection laws while accessing the MNV platform.
