Fingerprints may now needed to get new SIM cards in India

Fraudulent SIM cards being circulated through small retailers poses a potential risk to the National Security. To bring end to misuse of the SIM Cards and reduce security issues, the Home Ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunication(DoT) to make the Fingerprint verification or any other biometric scans mandatory when issuing new SIM Card.

"Sim cards are used for various authentication...if this is taken it can make sure the culprit cant claim i did not take the SIM. proving is easy if someone used fingerprint and took the SIM." Experts from Cyber Security &Privacy Foundation(CSPF) told EHN when we asked about the new verification method.

"It makes it in convenient for people to purchase SIM cards. people cant buy in small shops...may be we should go to showrooms of service providers and buy it."

EHN: Do you think it will stop the people who get sim card with forged doc?
CSPF: depends on how fingerprint is done and taken. lets us say if fingerprint is taken directly on the machine which processes application using fingerprint reader. the showroom people are involved issuing the sim card to a criminal. they can make another guy put his fingerprint for criminals sim card and issue....if its in a paper its more easy to do this

"I think this system wont work if insiders are involved. most black SIM gets sold with insider involvement." Says experts.


According to TelecomLead, the new initiative may be rejected by telecom operators, as it will be a lengthy and costly process.