Google removes foreign eSIM apps Holafly, Airalo amid DoT crackdown

An eSIM is a digital version of the physical SIM card

Google has removed Airalo and Holafly from its app store for Indian users for selling international SIMS without the required clearances, Moneycontrol has learnt.

The move came on the directions of the department of telecommunications (DoT), which has also reached out to internet service providers to block access to the websites of the two apps.

Singapore-based Airalo and Spain-based Holafly offer eSIMs for multiple countries and regions. eSIM is a digital SIM that allows a customer to activate a mobile plan with one's network provider without using a physical SIM card.

To sell foreign SIM cards in India, a company needs no objection certificate (NoC) from DoT.

As Holafly and Airalo didn’t have the NoC or the authorisation, DoT told Apple and Google to take down the apps, sources said.

When Moneycontrol tried to access the two apps through Google Play Store on January 5, they were not to be found. The apps were available on Apple's app store at the time of the publishing this story.

A government source that talks were on with Apple to take down the apps.

The apps have been withheld for Indian users of Apple and Google but are available for users in other geographies.

Moneycontrol has sought comments from Apple, Google, Airalo and Holafly. The article will be updated when they respond.

Rules for selling international SIMs

Entities that plan intending to sell foreign SIM cards need to take NOC from DoT. These SIM cards offered to Indian customer can only be used outside the country, DoT's 2022 policy says.

For selling or renting these SIMs, the authorised sellers will have to authenticate customers with their copy of passport, visa and other additional proofs.

The sellers also need to provide details of global SIMs to security agencies every month.