The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has blocked more than two crore mobile connections linked to fraudulent activities and achieved a 97 percent reduction in spoof calls with the help of initiatives such as Sanchar Saathi, according to its secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal.
Speaking through video link at the annual West Zone Conference on security matters organised by the DoT in South Goa, Dr Mittal said, “We were able to cut the spoof calls by 97 percent. We were able to see the impact of these efforts,” highlighting the success of measures like Sanchar Saathi.
Call spoofing is a technique where scammers disguise their caller ID information to mislead recipients and commit fraud.
Dr Mittal explained that the DoT has developed a digital intelligence platform that enables financial institutions to share information and report fraudulent activities in the financial sector. “This helps generate information and proactively create a cyber secure environment,” he said.
He stressed the growing importance of telecom in every sector. “The role of telecom in providing basic services in every sector has grown exponentially. While users of telecom have grown, the misuse of telecom resources in the financial sector has grown accordingly,” he noted.
To strengthen cyber security, the DoT has undertaken several new measures. These include expanding telecom testing labs to ensure certified high-quality equipment and using artificial intelligence to disconnect 78 lakh fraudulent connections and 71,000 points of sale.
The department has also partnered with private players to enhance sector-specific and application-specific security. One such effort is the launch of a financial fraud risk indicator developed with partners, which has been effective in detecting mobile numbers used for fraudulent activities.
Dr Mittal also confirmed that the DoT is preparing to upgrade its centralised monitoring system. “The internet monitoring system is something which we are working out to improve its capacity which is used extensively by law enforcement agencies,” he said.
These steps, he added, reflect the DoT’s commitment to strengthening telecom security and protecting users against fraud.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
