New Delhi: In a significant move to combat the growing menace of “digital arrest” and online frauds, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that platforms such as WhatsApp may soon require mandatory SIM-based verification. The submission was made in a suo motu case taken up by the apex court amid rising concerns over large-scale cyber scams. The Department of Telecommunications said linking access to verified SIM cards, along with stricter norms including biometric verification during SIM issuance, could help plug loopholes exploited by fraudsters.
The urgency of the crackdown is underscored by official data showing that India suffered digital fraud losses exceeding ₹52,000 crore between April 2021 and November 2025. The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to frame a comprehensive anti-fraud mechanism in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India and telecom authorities. It has also recommended that banks implement real-time alerts for unusual high-value withdrawals. Acting on the court’s directions, the Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a high-level committee to formulate stronger safeguards against cybercrime.
