Last month, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued an important directive to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), making Aadhaar-based biometric verification mandatory for all new SIM card connections. Now the Department of Telecom has directed telecom companies to implement the Digital Integrated Verification System. The move is aimed at preventing the increasing misuse of mobile connections obtained through fake documents, which are often used for fraud and other criminal activities.

Aadhaar verification mandatory for SIM cards
According to a report by Money Control, earlier, users could use any government ID like a voter ID or passport to get a new mobile connection. However, under the new rules, biometric verification through Aadhaar is now mandatory for all new SIM card activations. Retailers are strictly prohibited from selling SIM cards without following this process. Not only this, there will be an investigation of how many SIM card connections are in the name of the customer. Also, if the telecom customer has taken connections under different names, then that will also be investigated now. The customer's photo will also have to be taken from 10 different angles.

Government action on fake SIM cards

The PMO's decision came after a review meeting of the telecom sector, which highlighted the role of fraudulent SIM cards in financial scams. The investigation revealed incidents where multiple SIM cards were linked to the same device, violating telecom regulations and promoting cybercrime.

The PMO had directed the DoT to work closely with law enforcement agencies and use AI tools to identify and punish criminals. Retailers found issuing SIM cards using fake documents will face strict action.

The new order reflects the government's comprehensive efforts to tackle cybercrime. By implementing Aadhaar-based verification, the risk of fraud committed using unverified mobile numbers is expected to be significantly reduced. These guidelines also ensure tight control over the issuance and tracking of SIM cards across the country.

A step towards safe mobile connections
The strict guidelines reflect the government's commitment to maintaining the security of mobile networks and protecting citizens from fraud. Aadhaar-based biometric verification for obtaining new SIM cards is now a mandatory rule, setting a precedent for secure telecom operations.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited by Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.