DoT Issues New Cybersecurity Rules to Strengthen Telecom Networks

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has notified amendments to India’s cybersecurity framework, aimed at enhancing telecom network security, curbing identity fraud, and improving traceability of telecom equipment. 

A key feature of these new rules is the Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform, which will allow authorised entities to verify the authenticity of phone numbers used in digital services.

Mobile Number Validation Platform for Secure Verification

Under the revised Telecommunications Act, the MNV platform will enable telecom operators, banks, and digital service providers to confirm if a customer’s mobile number is linked to a verified user in telecom databases. This system seeks to reduce fraud involving fake mobile numbers, spam calls, and misuse of telecom identifiers.

The government said the platform will be open to Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs) such as financial institutions and online service providers. “The MNV system will ensure only verified numbers are linked to critical digital services,” the DoT stated, adding that the initiative will strengthen consumer trust in the digital ecosystem.

Industry Response and Privacy Concerns

While the DoT said the framework was finalised after considering stakeholder feedback from the June 2025 draft, privacy advocates and technology firms have raised alarms over potential data privacy and surveillance risks. 

Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the platform will operate within existing data protection norms and will not store user data beyond the verification process.

Implementation and Use Cases

The DoT plans to roll out the MNV platform within the next few months, initially targeting banks and financial institutions to verify mobile numbers against telecom KYC data when opening new accounts. The system aims to plug a longstanding gap in confirming that mobile numbers linked to bank accounts actually belong to the account holders. 

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Conclusion

The amended rules mark a crucial step in tightening telecom cybersecurity and tackling identity-based fraud. However, their success will depend on balancing security imperatives with user privacy safeguards as the MNV platform goes live.

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