After the Telecom Bill 2023 got approved in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and then in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, there are now new rules for buying and selling SIM cards.
These rules are made to keep everyone safe. If someone breaks these rules, they might have to pay a lot of money or go to jail for a long time. Let’s see what’s important for you in the new bill.
Firstly, the new bill will replace the old Indian Telegraph Act that has been around for 138 years.
Under the new rules, if someone uses phones, SIM cards, WiFi, or other telecom devices to do something harmful to the country, they could be sent to jail for 3 years or be fined Rs 2 crore.
Sometimes, both of these punishments can happen. If the phone company loses money because of someone’s actions, they might have to pay a fine of Rs 50 lakh.
The government can also listen to the person’s calls and, if needed, stop their connection forever.
Paying a big fine for getting a fake SIM card
If someone uses a fake ID to get a SIM card, they might have to go to jail for 3 years and pay a fine of Rs 50,000.
They could get both of these punishments. Shopkeepers who sell SIM cards must check the customer’s details.
If they don’t, they won’t be allowed to sell SIM cards anymore. Customers also have to prove who they are with their fingerprints.
It’s a crime to copy a SIM card
If someone copies a SIM card, meaning they use someone else’s SIM in their name, that’s also a crime.
According to the new bill, companies need your permission before sending you promotional messages. If they call you without permission, they could be fined Rs 2 lakh.
Messages can be sent for everyone’s benefit
According to the new rules, if a message is helpful for everyone, like information about a government health program or during an emergency, phone companies can send these messages without asking for permission.
