In response to the alarming increase in fraud instances on WhatsApp via international mobile numbers, the messaging service has reportedly agreed to deregister mobile numbers identified as involved in fraudulent activities.
During the launch of three consumer telecom reforms, including the Sanchar Saathi Portal aimed at protecting telecom users from fraud, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that WhatsApp had agreed to deregister users engaged in fraudulent activities. Vaishnaw emphasized that customer safety is of utmost importance and that WhatsApp is fully committed to addressing the issue of scammers using international numbers to defraud users.
Furthermore, the government is engaging with other messaging platforms, including Telegram, to remove fraudulent users from their platforms as well. WhatsApp, in response to Vaishnaw’s comments, issued a statement affirming their collaboration with the government to ensure a safe and secure user experience by eliminating bad actors from their platform.
To provide context, WhatsApp users in India have experienced a significant surge in incoming spam calls from international numbers. Many users have reported spam calls originating from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Scammers often target users with larger fraudulent schemes, ranging from fake job offers to money-making opportunities through online tasks.
The launch of the Sanchar Saathi Portal signifies the government’s efforts to safeguard telecom users. The portal allows users to verify the mobile connections issued in their name, disconnect unnecessary connections, trace lost mobile phones, and check the authenticity of devices when purchasing new or used phones. The government has also introduced the Artificial Intelligence and Face Recognition (ASTR) module, which aids in SIM subscriber verification and identifies fraudulent subscribers.
According to the Sanchar Saathi portal, the government has already blocked 484,522 mobile numbers and successfully traced 244,438 numbers through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CIER), a central database of mobile phones maintained by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The collaborative efforts between the government and messaging platforms like WhatsApp aim to combat fraudulent activities and ensure a safe digital environment for users in India.
