Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 27: In a decisive move to tighten the noose on online fraud and safeguard digital identities, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rolled out draft rules proposing a centralised Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform. This system, to be managed either directly by the central government or through an authorised agency, is aimed at reinforcing telecom cybersecurity and protecting consumers from spoofing and digital scams.
The MNV platform, as outlined in the draft Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, will allow telecom operators, banks, e-commerce portals, and financial institutions to verify customer mobile numbers at a minimal cost- Rs 1.5 for authorised government users and Rs 3 for others. The move is being seen as part of a broader push to ensure secure digital transactions and weed out fraudulent elements misusing telecom infrastructure.
A key provision allows the government to suspend mobile numbers without prior notice if deemed necessary in the public interest. Moreover, telecom device manufacturers may be compelled to support efforts to trace tampered handsets that use duplicate IMEI numbers, with a comprehensive database being developed for such compromised devices.
In a significant digital governance shift, businesses using mobile numbers to authenticate users- referred to as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs)- will now come under a formalised cybersecurity purview. This includes banks verifying UPI-linked numbers and digital platforms relying on mobile authentication. According to PTI, one leading bank has already started piloting the MNV platform by flagging suspicious numbers, which are being temporarily deactivated for 90 days and scrubbed clean post-suspension to avoid future misuse.
While the proposed framework is receiving plaudits for its intent, experts are also flagging potential concerns. Cybersecurity expert Tarun Wig, CEO of Innefu Labs, welcomed the initiative, saying it would significantly bolster the country’s digital security apparatus. However, he cautioned that small platforms and startups might struggle with compliance costs and the complexity of integrating with the system.
“While this is a robust step toward securing India’s digital backbone, care must be taken to balance enforcement with individual privacy and operational feasibility,” Wig told ET.
The DoT has opened the draft notification for public feedback, inviting suggestions and concerns within 30 days of its release. The final version of the rules, once approved, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of India’s cybersecurity ecosystem- placing accountability and verification at the centre of digital operations.