The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, issued an advisory dated February 18, 2025, to social media and application hosting platforms, mandating the immediate removal of content and applications that promote or enable tampering with telecommunication identifiers, especially Calling Line Identification (CLI) spoofing. This move is aimed at addressing the growing misuse of digital platforms to manipulate telecom identifiers, which poses a grave threat to the integrity of India’s communication networks.
Background
The advisory was spurred by an alarming incident where a social media influencer publicly demonstrated how to alter CLI information during a call, allowing the calling party to disguise their number. This practice, known as CLI spoofing, falls squarely under telecommunication identifier tampering– a punishable offence under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. CLI spoofing not only erodes user trust in telecom systems but also opens avenues for fraud, impersonation, and cybercrime.
Legal Framework: Telecommunications Act, 2023
The advisory references several critical provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which criminalise telecommunication identifier tampering:
- Section 42(3)(c): Prohibition of Identifier Tampering
This provision criminalises any unauthorised tampering with telecommunication identifiers such as Calling Line Identification (CLI), IP addresses, or IMEI numbers. The offence applies not only to the person who directly alters these identifiers but also to those who provide tools, applications, or instructions enabling such tampering. This section directly targets acts like CLI spoofing, which allows a caller to disguise their number and mislead recipients.
- Section 42(3)(e): Acquisition by Fraudulent Means
Under this clause, it is an offence to obtain any telecommunication identifier through fraud, impersonation, or deceptive practices. This includes situations where an individual uses a fake or spoofed number to impersonate someone else or misrepresent their identity. Such fraudulent use of identifiers erodes trust in digital communication and can facilitate scams or cybercrimes.
- Section 42(6): Abetment and Promotion of Offences
This section widens the scope of liability by holding any person who abets, attempts, conspires, or promotes an offence under Section 42 to the same punishment as the principal offender. It has serious implications for app developers, content creators, and social media influencers who demonstrate, advertise, or teach how to engage in CLI spoofing or similar practices. Even platform operators who fail to remove such content after being notified may be considered complicit under this provision.
- Section 42(7): Cognizable and Non-Bailable Offences
This provision makes all offences under Section 42 cognisable and non-bailable, which significantly raises the stakes. Law enforcement agencies are empowered to arrest without a warrant, and the accused cannot claim bail as a matter of right. This reflects the seriousness with which the legislature treats offences involving telecom identifier tampering.
- Punishment (as per Section 42):
Anyone found guilty under these provisions is liable for imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to INR 50 lakh, or both. The severity of the penalty underscores the government’s commitment to curbing digital fraud and misuse of communication networks.
Platform Responsibilities and Compliance
The DoT advisory imposed the following obligations on social media and app-hosting platforms:
- Immediate Removal of Offending Content: All content or applications that promote or facilitate telecom identifier tampering, such as CLI spoofing tutorials or apps, must be removed.
- Legal Compliance: Platforms must ensure their systems and services are not complicit in violating the Act.
- Mandatory Compliance Reporting: Platforms are required to confirm compliance with the advisory by February 28, 2025.
Failure to act on this directive could result in legal proceedings under the aforementioned provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Takedown Notices under the Telecommunication Act, 2023
Historically, takedown notices for online content have been issued under:
- Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000 – allowing MeitY to block content in the interest of national security or public order.
- Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act – stripping intermediary protection if platforms fail to act against content involved in unlawful activity after being notified.
However, the current advisory by the DoT does not invoke these sections of the IT Act. Instead, it derives authority directly from the Telecommunications Act, 2023- marking a shift in regulatory posture and potentially testing the jurisdictional limits between MeitY and DoT when it comes to digital content regulation.
Market and Policy Implications
This advisory arrives at a time when digital communication tools and applications are rapidly proliferating. The ability to manipulate caller IDs and other identifiers has become more accessible, especially via apps and web services that often operate under the radar.
By cracking down on such practices, the DoT seeks to:
- Strengthen user trust in communication systems.
- Prevent fraudulent activities and impersonation crimes.
- Reinforce the rule of law in the digital telecom ecosystem.
This also signals to digital intermediaries that regulatory scrutiny is tightening, and compliance with evolving telecom laws is non-negotiable.
Conclusion
The DoT’s advisory marks a pivotal moment in India’s telecom regulatory landscape. It reflects a growing governmental emphasis on digital accountability and network integrity. Social media platforms and application stores are now under greater pressure to proactively police content that could lead to legal violations.
Going forward, this initiative could lay the groundwork for more structured and frequent enforcement actions by the DoT. For platform providers, legal teams, and digital entrepreneurs, this is a clarion call to audit content, assess legal risks, and align operational practices with India’s strict telecom compliance regime.
Access the Official Notification: Here
Authors: Manisha Singh and Kratika Patel