Bihar Government to Suspend Over 2.7 Million SIM Cards in Coming Months
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Synopsis
In Bihar, the Department of Telecommunications is set to deactivate over 27 lakh SIM cards in three months as part of a crackdown on cybercrime, affecting users with multiple SIM cards.
Key Takeaways
- 27 lakh SIM cards to be deactivated in Bihar.
- Users with more than nine SIMs must comply.
- Failure to act will lead to automatic deactivation.
- Cyber fraud cases are increasing in the state.
- Government aims to curb crime through this initiative.
Patna, Feb 12 (NationPress) In a significant effort to combat cybercrime, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced plans to suspend over 27 lakh SIM cards in Bihar in the next three months.
As per officials from BSNL Patna, of the total 27 lakh SIM cards, more than 3 lakh are linked to government-operated telecom companies, while over 24 lakh are associated with private telecom providers.
The latest DoT guidelines specifically target users holding more than nine SIM cards. Those exceeding this quota must notify their telecom operators and select nine active SIMs within the designated timeframe.
Failure to comply will result in the automatic deactivation of their 10th SIM. This initiative responds to the rising number of cyber fraud incidents in Bihar.
An official noted that a significant number of residents possess more than nine SIM cards, many of which are purportedly used for fraudulent schemes.
Cybercriminals leverage multiple SIM registrations under a single identity to perpetrate scams, complicating efforts for authorities to trace their actions.
The government aims to substantially reduce cybercrime by restricting the SIM card count per user. Telecom operators have been instructed to alert impacted users regarding the new regulations.
"Users must choose nine SIM cards to keep. If they do not take action within 90 days, their 10th SIM will be automatically deactivated," the official stated.
Several districts in Bihar, including Nawada, Nalanda, Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, Lakhisarai, and Munger, have gained a reputation for cyber fraud, often likened to the notorious Jamtara module of Jharkhand.
Cybercriminals from these regions utilize fraudulent SIMs to defraud unsuspecting individuals, positioning Bihar as one of the most impacted states by digital scams.
The government’s SIM regulation initiative is anticipated to diminish cyber fraud incidents in Bihar, improve accountability for mobile connections, and prevent the misuse of multiple SIM cards for unlawful activities.
The DoT is collaborating closely with telecom operators to ensure the seamless implementation of this new policy.
