COAI backs SIM-binding move, says measure enhances security without affecting user privacy

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