I’ve been following the news about the Department of Telecom’s (DoT) proposal for stricter cybersecurity rules and a central Mobile Number Validation Platform with great interest. For too long, our collective response to the rising tide of digital fraud has felt reactive—a constant, exhausting game of whack-a-mole where authorities and citizens are always a step behind the scamsters.
This new proposal, however, marks a significant and welcome shift in strategy. It moves beyond simply chasing individual fraudsters and aims to build a foundational infrastructure of trust. The idea of a central validation platform is not a mere patch; it's an architectural solution designed to verify identity at the source, making it fundamentally harder for malicious actors to operate anonymously.
This approach resonates deeply with principles I have championed for decades. It reminds me of my advocacy for systemic, technology-driven platforms to tackle large-scale societal issues. For instance, when the government launched the KIRAN mental health helpline, I saw it as a crucial first step and urged for its evolution into a comprehensive online portal. The core idea was that a widespread problem requires a centralized, accessible, and scalable solution. The DoT's proposed platform for digital safety is built on the very same logic—creating a single, reliable system to address a crisis that affects millions.
Looking back even further, to my analyses on Office Productivity in 1987, my focus was on creating measurable, transparent systems to bring order to complex environments. We identified trends and built frameworks to manage them proactively. The current initiative to combat digital fraud is a modern-day application of that philosophy. Instead of ad-hoc responses, we are finally seeing an attempt to build a robust system that can preemptively identify and neutralize threats.
By creating a verified digital identity layer tied to our mobile numbers, we are not just fighting fraud; we are enhancing the productivity and security of our entire digital ecosystem. It builds a baseline of trust that is essential for commerce, communication, and social interaction in the digital age.
Of course, the efficacy of this platform will depend entirely on its implementation. The technological and logistical challenges are significant. But the vision is correct. It is a proactive, foundational step towards fortifying our digital lives against the relentless onslaught of fraud.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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