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Telecom New Rule: The Telecom Department has issued a new order. It has been said that if a fake SIM has been issued in the name of any user and fraud has been committed, then the original user can also be responsible for it.
New Delhi. An order of the Department of Telecommunications has created problems for about 100 crore mobile consumers of the country. The department issued a statement on Monday clearly saying that if the SIM card purchased in the name of the mobile phone consumer is used for cyber fraud or any other illegal activity, then the original customer can also be held legally responsible for the same. Today, when cyber fraud criminals buy fake SIM cards in anyone’s name, this kind of rule can create a lot of trouble even for genuine customers.
The Department of Telecommunications has said that using devices that tamper with the unique identification number (IMEI) of a mobile phone, obtaining a SIM on the basis of fake documents or handing over the SIM to others is a serious violation and its consequences will be applicable to the original customer as well. The department has clearly stated that using a phone with a tampered IMEI number, purchasing a SIM card fraudulently or giving your SIM card to others or handing it over to those who misuse it for cyber fraud can have serious legal consequences.
The real customer will also be guilty
The Department of Telecommunications has said that if the SIM card taken in the name of a customer is later misused, the original customer can also be held guilty. Along with this, the Department of Telecommunications has also instructed customers not to use Calling Line Identity (CLI) or other apps and websites that change identity. Obviously, under the new rules of the department, mobile customers now need to be more careful.
3 years jail and 50 lakh fine
Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, tampering with IMEI and other methods that help in identifying a mobile user can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. The Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 prohibits any person from altering the IMEI or using, producing or possessing a device with the help of which the IMEI number can be altered.
Understand customers through Sanchar Saathi app
The Department of Telecommunications has advised to verify the IMEI number of mobile devices through ‘Sanchar Sathi’ portal or app. The department has said that the government has imposed strict restrictions to prevent misuse of telecom resources and to create a secure telecom ecosystem for all citizens. The department has earlier also cautioned that mobile customers should keep checking from time to time through the Sanchar Sathi app whether anyone has purchased a SIM in their name.
