Apple and Google removed these 2 apps on government orders, know why this step had to be taken

Apple and Google have removed two e-SIM apps from their app stores in India. In fact, last week the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India had ordered the removal of these apps. After which Google has removed two eSIM offering apps – Airalo and Holafly from its Play Store and Apple has removed two eSIM offering apps from the Indian version of its App Store. The government has asked Indian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block the websites of these apps in India.

Apps did not have authorization to sell eSIM

According to a report in Hindustan Times, companies need to obtain NOC from DoT to start selling eSIM in India. Singapore based Airalo and Spain based Holafly have been removed because both the companies did not have authorization to sell eSIM. DoT rules stipulate that eSIMs can be sold only through authorized dealers. These authorized dealers have to ask for identity proof like passport copy or visa from the customers before providing the SIM card. Authorized dealers also have to provide the details of these global SIMs to the security agencies.

What is e-SIM?

According to Apple, an eSIM is an ‘industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile plan from your network provider without using a physical SIM.’ iPhone users can install more than 8 eSIMs and use two phone numbers at a time.

Why were both the apps banned in India?

Hindustan Times quoted government sources as saying that fraudsters are using eSIM with international phone numbers to commit cyber crimes in India. While Airalo and Holafly have been discontinued, eSIM providers like Nomad eSIM and aloSIM are still available in India. According to the latest NCRB report, cyber crime cases in India increased by 24.4 percent in 2022, with 65,893 cases reported compared to 52,974 cases recorded last year.