Centre tells SC: WhatsApp SIM Binding Key to breaking ‘Digital Arrest’ scam networks

The Union government has told the Supreme Court that it has directed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to move towards SIM-binding for platforms such as WhatsApp, marking a key regulatory step to counter the surge of “digital arrest” scams. The disclosure was made in a suo motu case pending before the apex court, which is monitoring systemic failures enabling large-scale cyber fraud and pressing authorities for time-bound corrective action.

The submission came through a status report filed by the Centre in proceedings initiated by the Supreme Court in October 2025 after alarming instances of fraud surfaced nationwide. The government informed the Court that an inter-departmental committee has been constituted and has already held multiple meetings to examine vulnerabilities in SIM issuance and management that are routinely exploited by fraudsters.

The committee deliberated on concerns raised by amicus curiae Senior Advocate N.S. Nappinai, including the misuse of OTT platforms, spoofed calls, and VoIP services, alongside limitations in tracking multiple SIM issuances across telecom service providers. The Centre also outlined parallel technological interventions, such as blocking international spoofed calls and strengthening coordination with banks and investigative agencies.

The Bench, led by the Chief Justice of India, took note of the Centre’s position that misuse of OTT platforms “can be addressed through SIM-binding” and acknowledged that rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, enabling biometric verification for SIM issuance, are at an advanced stage. The Court was also apprised that existing systems had significantly reduced spoofed international calls, with blocked calls dropping from over a crore to a fraction within months.

Emphasising the urgency of the issue, the Court directed the authorities to ensure swift and effective implementation of the proposed measures, including enforcement mechanisms, inter-agency protocols, and preventive safeguards against both existing and future SIM misuse.