Now Aadhaar-biometric verification has become mandatory to get a new SIM card. The government has taken this strict step to curb fake SIM cards and cyber crimes. Now no new SIM card will be issued without biometric verification.
New SIM Card Rules: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has recently issued an important directive to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under which Aadhaar-based biometric verification has now been made mandatory for every new SIM card. This decision has been taken to curb the increasing SIM card fraud and cyber crimes.
How did one get a SIM card earlier?
According to a report by Money Control, earlier people could get a new SIM card by showing voter ID, passport or other government identity card. But now just giving documents will not be enough, rather Aadhaar-biometric verification has been made mandatory.
Tightening grip on cyber crime:
This step was taken because SIM cards obtained with fake documents were being used in financial scams and cyber crimes. Investigation revealed that many times dozens of SIM cards were found active on a single device, through which fraud and cyber crime were being committed.
What is the new guidelines:
- According to the report, biometric verification will be done through Aadhaar for every new mobile connection.
- To buy a SIM card, the customer’s photo will be taken from 10 different angles.
- DoT will now track all SIM cards registered in a person’s name.
- Multiple SIM cards being active on the same device will be checked so that fake connections can be identified.
Fraud will be identified with AI technology:
The government has directed that with the help of AI (Artificial Intelligence), fake SIM card users will be identified and action will be taken against them.
What is the punishment for breaking the rules:
- Retailers who sell SIM cards without biometric verification will be severely punished.
- Such retailers will be fined heavily and may also be banned from selling SIM cards.
What will be the benefit of the new rules?
- Cybercrimes will decrease.
- Mobile connections obtained through fake documents will be banned.
- The process of issuing SIM cards across the country will be made more secure.
- Active SIM cards in the name of each person will be tracked, so that fake identities cannot be misused.
Online fraud will be curbed:
This new decision of the government will curb mobile SIM card fraud and strengthen cyber security. Aadhaar-biometric verification is expected to effectively stop scams and online frauds done through fake SIM cards.