The department of telecommunications (DoT) has notified amended cybersecurity rules which include provisions to bolster telecom network security, curb identity misuse and enhance traceability of equipment.
A significant feature of the amendments to the Telecommunications Act is the creation of a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform, empowering the government to verify telecom identifiers such as phone numbers used by entities offering digital services linked to telecom networks.
The MNV platform will allow authorised entities, telecom licensees and other registered service providers classified as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs) to check if the numbers used by their customers correspond to verified users in operators’ databases. This move targets identity fraud, spam, and misuse of telecom identifiers.
The notification follows public consultations on a draft released in June, with the government stating that all stakeholder suggestions were considered before finalisation.
Despite industry consultation, tech companies and privacy advocates have flagged concerns, calling the rules overreaching and potentially invasive. They argue that the framework could expand DoT’s jurisdiction over non-telecom entities and lead to mass processing of personal data.
According to the DoT, the MNV platform is expected to launch in the coming months and will help banks and financial institutions verify mobile numbers against telecom KYC data when opening new accounts. It will address the absence of a formal mechanism to confirm that phone numbers linked to bank accounts belong to account holders.
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