DoT(The Department of Telecommunications asked Google and Apple to remove apps like Airalo & Holafly as they were selling eSIM cards without their permission.
An eSIM is a digital version of a physical SIM card that allows a customer to activate a mobile plan with one’s network provider without using a physical SIM card. Singapore-based Airalo and Spain-based Holafly offer eSIMs for multiple countries and regions. eSIM is a digital SIM.
Airalo and Holafly were taken down by Google from its app store for Indian users as they were selling international SIMS without the required authorization. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also reached out to internet service providers to block access to the websites of the two apps.
What do the rules say…..
To sell foreign SIM cards in India, a company needs a no objection certificate (NoC) from DoT. Entities that plan on selling foreign SIM cards need to take NOC from DoT. These SIM cards offered to Indian customers can only be used outside the country as per the DoT’s 2022 policy.
Customer taking these eSIMs needs to be authenticated by authorised sellers for selling or renting these SIMs, taking their copy of passport, visa and other additional proofs. The sellers also need to provide details of global SIMs to security agencies each month.
As Holafly and Airalo didn’t have the NoC or the permission, DoT told Apple and Google to take down the apps, sources said. The apps have been restrained for Indian users of Apple and Google but are available for users in other countries.
