In a significant move to curb the rising tide of digital fraud, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed a new Mobile Number Validation (MNV) framework that could reshape how digital platforms verify users. The draft rules mandate that platforms such as banks, fintech apps, ride-hailing services, and food delivery apps validate customer mobile numbers through a centralized, government-run system. This initiative targets what the government terms Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs)—essentially any business that uses mobile numbers to identify or serve customers, beyond licensed telecom operators.
India, with over 1.16 billion mobile connections and the world’s largest digital payments market, has seen a sharp rise in cybercrimes. Government data reveals that digital arrest scams and related frauds nearly tripled between 2022 and 2024, with financial losses increasing 21-fold. The proposed MNV system aims to address this by ensuring that mobile numbers used for services are genuinely linked to the users claiming them.
Additionally, the rules propose stricter controls on IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers to prevent mobile device fraud. Manufacturers must ensure that new devices do not reuse IMEIs already in use within Indian networks. A central database of tampered or blacklisted IMEIs will be maintained by the government, and second-hand phone sellers will be required to verify devices through this database at a cost of ₹10 per check.
The rules also grant authorities sweeping powers to temporarily suspend the use of any telecommunication identifier—whether by telecom operators or TIUEs—if security concerns arise. This provision is aimed at swiftly neutralizing threats in high-risk scenarios.
The proposal is currently open for public consultation for 30 days, inviting feedback from stakeholders across sectors. As India navigates this critical juncture in its digital evolution, the challenge will be to strike a balance between cybersecurity, user privacy, and operational feasibility.
Get in touch
