Registrations for MediaNama’s invite-only roundtable on Technical Issues with SIM Binding are about to close at 12:30 PM tomorrow. The discussion will examine the technical feasibility of continuous SIM–device binding as the Department of Telecommunications mandate is set to become operational from January 1, 2027, and whether it will achieve its stated aim of reducing cybercrime and fraud.

Date: November 13, 2026 (Friday)
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Venue: Virtual Event (Zoom)

Register here

We will explore how third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram can verify continued SIM presence amid OS-level constraints in Android and iOS, the role telecom operators could play through silent authentication, and how the mechanism would handle eSIMs, dual-SIM phones, linked desktops, cloud automation, and AI agentic workflows. We will also examine whether SIM binding meaningfully addresses India’s fraud and scam problem, including phishing, caller ID spoofing, OTP theft, SIM swaps, and whether fraud evidence would justify the ISM binding mandate as a solution. 

Agenda:

1:30 PM – 1:50 PM | Opening Presentation: Meghna Bal on research findings on SIM Binding and its impact

1:50 PM – 3:10 PM | Technical Challenges with SIM Binding

  • What are the technical challenges in implementing SIM binding? Is it possible in the current Android and iOS ecosystem?
  • Which layer actually performs the SIM binding check—the messaging app, the OS/smartphone, or the telecom operator? What are the dependencies, and how would these work together?
  • How could SIM binding disrupt users or businesses that depend on messaging platforms via APIs and agentic workflow setups?
  • How does telco-proposed silent verification work? At what frequency would telcos have to check to establish continued SIM presence?
  • What role could telecom operators play in SIM binding? How do the Airtel and Vodafone Idea/Meta silent-authentication proposals differ, and do either actually satisfy “continuous presence”?
  • How will SIM binding work with eSIMs? What OS support would this require, and does the current ecosystem support it?
  • What workflows could SIM binding disrupt, especially in AI agentic workflows and business CRM integrations?

3:10 PM – 4:30 PM | Examining Fraud Prevention and SIM Binding

  • What evidence do we have to propose SIM binding as a solution to fraud and scam problems in India?
  • How would SIM binding solve fraud involving phishing, spoofing, and similar vectors? How should messaging apps, telcos, and law enforcement approach these?
  • What workarounds might scammers adopt that law enforcement and the public need to be aware of?
  • How might fraudsters adapt, including through phishing or SIM swaps?
  • What safeguards would justify SIM binding, especially to limit excessive data collection?

The discussion will also examine how apps, operating systems, and telecom operators could establish continued SIM presence amid OS-level challenges, and what the proposed mechanism would mean for existing devices, linked desktop sessions, and enterprise integrations.

Note: This is an invite-only discussion, so please do apply.

Please note: 

  • Registration does not guarantee attendance. If you fit our mandate for the curated audience, we will send you a confirmation before the event. 
  • Your contact information will never be shared with anyone outside of MediaNama.*

This discussion is being organised with support from Esya Centre.

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