Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 11: The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing major private telecom players including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, has clarified that the Centre’s recent SIM-binding order poses no threat to user privacy or data security. The industry body said the directive does not require any additional data collection nor does it create new forms of metadata, asserting that the system merely verifies whether the SIM linked to a user’s identity is present during periodic authentication—much like the commonly used UPI framework.

According to COAI, this mechanism strengthens digital security and ensures that communication apps cannot be misused, without compromising individual privacy.

Addressing concerns about inconvenience to users—especially those travelling abroad—the association said such fears are misplaced. SIM-binding is already a norm across digital payments and authentication platforms, where the linked SIM simply needs to be active in the device, not necessarily connected to mobile data. The same principle can be extended to app-based communication services.

For international travellers, COAI explained that users can continue using communication apps over Wi-Fi or a foreign SIM, provided their Indian SIM remains active in a secondary slot. Even those on single-SIM devices, it said, must adhere to this requirement as it is an “intentional and essential security safeguard” aimed at preventing fraud, cyber scams and cross-border misuse of Indian communication networks.

The association also assured that subscribers abroad will not lose access to communication apps. While the Indian user’s app remains tied to their SIM for authentication, they can continue using services allowed in the country they are visiting—thereby improving overall safety and traceability.

On the issue of periodic reauthentication—such as the proposed six-hour logout cycle—COAI said the directive aligns with global best practices for identity-sensitive services. Critical platforms like banks, DigiLocker, Aadhaar and VPNs enforce even tighter session rules. While phones remain protected through robust cryptographic security, laptops and browsers are considered more vulnerable, making periodic authentication essential.

COAI added that most users relying on laptops or tablets usually keep their phones nearby, making reauthentication a minor inconvenience when weighed against the significant security benefits.