DoT orders social media platforms to remove content that promotes telecom ID fraud

As per the advisory, social media platforms have been instructed to comply with the directive by February 28.

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has directed all major social media platforms, including Meta, Instagram, Google, and X to remove specific content or applications that facilitate users in committing offences under the Telecommunications Act of 2023.

The DoT advisory follows reports of social media influencers demonstrating how to alter their calling line identification (CLI) when making calls, causing the recipient to see a different number.

“Technically, this constitutes tampering with telecommunication identification, known as CLI spoofing,” the advisory stated. The Telecommunications Act strictly prohibits such actions.

Although social media platforms are generally regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) under the IT Act, the DoT has taken direct action in this case, as the content explicitly encourages offences under the Telecommunications Act, which was officially enacted last year.

As per the advisory, social media platforms have been instructed to comply with the directive by February 28.

According to the advisory, Section 42(3)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 explicitly prohibits tampering with telecommunication identification. Additionally, Section 42(3)(e) forbids obtaining subscriber identity modules (SIMs) or other telecom identifiers through fraud, cheating, or impersonation. Section 42(7) classifies such offences as cognizable and non-bailable, regardless of the Code of Criminal Procedure provisions in 1973.

Violations can result in imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both. “Section 42(6) further imposes the same penalties on those who abet such offences,” the advisory noted.

The DoT has clarified that any application enabling or promoting the tampering of telecom identifiers—such as CLI, IP addresses, or IMEI numbers—facilitates criminal activity. As a result, social media and app hosting platforms must remove such content or applications.

The advisory also warned that, beyond content removal, entities responsible for creating or promoting such materials could face legal action under the Telecommunications Act of 2023.