COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) has welcomed the Indian government’s digital security initiatives which focused on a core demand: a “Same Service, Same Rules” approach that holds both licensed telecom operators and app-based communication platforms accountable for cyber fraud.
Background and Core Proposition
COAI, representing carriers like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, argues that cyber fraud does not distinguish between licensed telecom networks and internet-based platforms. While telecom operators already comply with strict obligations on subscriber verification, traceability, and network security, app-based services have expanded fraudsters’ reach without equivalent safeguards, creating regulatory gaps criminals exploit.
Government Measures Underway
The government has rolled out several initiatives that COAI supports:
Sanchar Saathi and Chakshu: DoT platforms allowing users to report suspected fraudulent communications, check connections issued in their names, and flag impersonation attempts via calls, SMS, and WhatsApp.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI): Classifies mobile numbers based on association with suspected financial fraud, enabling banks to identify risky numbers using telecom intelligence.
SIM-App Binding: Directions under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, require app-based providers including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to maintain continuous links between user accounts and registered SIMs, with compliance extended to December 31, 2026.
International Collaboration
Separately, COAI signed an MoU with the UK government in September 2026 to collaborate on AI-driven fraud prevention, knowledge sharing, and responsible AI use in telecom networks—reflecting the cross-border nature of digital fraud, with over two-thirds of UK fraud cases having an international element.
COAI maintains that obligations should be proportionate to each stakeholder’s operational role and technical capabilities, ensuring consistent consumer protection without stifling innovation across India’s expanding digital ecosystem.
Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI, said, “COAI welcomes the Government of India’s continued initiatives to strengthen digital security, enhance consumer protection and address the growing challenges of spam, scams, impersonation and cyber frauds across communication platforms. These initiatives reflect the Government’s proactive approach towards safeguarding citizens by strengthening digital security in an increasingly interconnected digital environment and reinforcing its commitment to building a secure and trusted digital ecosystem under the vision of Digital India.
As communication services continue to evolve and expand across traditional telecom networks and internet-based platforms, ensuring consistent security safeguards and accountability across the digital communications ecosystem has become increasingly important.
Licensed telecom operators have long operated under stringent obligations relating to subscriber verification, traceability, security and cooperation with authorised agencies. However, communications have increasingly migrated to internet-based platforms and Cyber criminals precisely exploit these gaps between technologies and regulatory frameworks. Therefore, a coordinated and technology-neutral approach towards security and accountability will strengthen the Government’s efforts to combat cybercrime.
COAI also believes that a balanced regulatory framework, with clearly defined responsibilities proportionate to the operational roles, technical capabilities and control of respective stakeholders, will promote effective implementation while encouraging innovation and growth across the digital ecosystem.
COAI has consistently supported the principle of ‘Same Service, Same Rules’, particularly where comparable communication services create comparable risks for consumers, and maintained that fraud follows the user, not the licence category. Recent Government initiatives are an important beginning and we anticipate further measures to ensure that spam, scams, impersonation and fraudulent communications are addressed consistently across telecom as well as app-based platforms. As India’s digital economy expands, citizens must have the confidence that the same commitment to security and accountability follows them wherever they communicate. A more secure digital ecosystem will ultimately strengthen consumer trust, innovation and Digital India itself.”
