Stop telecom scams or face fines—Centre to social media companies
What's the story
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed major social media platforms, including Meta and Google, to remove content or apps promoting violations of the Telecommunications Act of 2023.
The move comes after reports of social media influencers demonstrating to followers how to change their calling line identification (CLI) during calls, deceiving call recipients with a different number display.
The DoT advisory classifies such modification of CLI as tampering with telecommunication identification, aka CLI spoofing.
Advisory details
DoT's stance on CLI spoofing
The Telecommunications Act prohibits these kinds of telecom spoofing in the strictest terms.
Although social media platforms are generally regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under the IT Act, the DoT has acted directly in this case considering the content explicitly promotes violations of the Telecommunications Act.
Compliance deadline
Social media platforms must comply by February 28
The DoT has given social media platforms until February 28 to comply with its directive.
The advisory notes that Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 clearly prohibits tampering of telecommunication identification.
It also bars obtaining subscriber identity modules (SIMs) or other telecom identifiers by fraudulent means, under Section 42(3)(e).
Legal implications
Telecom Act classifies such offenses as serious crimes
The Telecommunications Act considers offenses of telecom identification tampering and fraudulent acquisition of SIMs or other identifiers as serious crimes.
They are non-bailable and cognizable, regardless of the provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Offenders can be imprisoned for up to three years, fined up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
The same punishment is applicable to those who abet such offenses under Section 42(6).
Warning
DoT warns of legal action against violators
The DoT has warned that any app enabling/promoting the tampering of telecom identifiers—CLI, IP addresses, or even IMEI numbers—facilitates criminal activity.
Hence, social media as well as app hosting platforms must remove such content or apps.
The advisory also warned that entities responsible for creating/promoting such materials might face legal action under the Telecommunications Act of 2023.