SIM swap attacks continue to be a problem among smartphone users. This is because there are many hackers who use this as a way to gain access to another person’s digital profile. Thankfully, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is coming up with ways to put an end to these threats.
On Tuesday, the FCC announced a new set of rules that aim to “protect consumers against scams that aim to commandeer their cell phone accounts.” The chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, also revealed that these rules will continue to give individuals “freedom to pick their preferred device and provider.”
Once these proposed regulations are implemented, wireless providers will be required “to adopt secure methods of authenticating a customer” once a SIM card swap request has been made. Additionally, a notification will be pushed to a customer’s SIM when there is an initiated SIM change or port-out request. Through these ways, wireless carriers can protect their customers against such frauds.
According to The Verge report, the FCC had been looking for ways to tighten these regulations for two years. And most of the proposed rules announced today are the same as what was presented back then. With this announcement, the FCC’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force is keen on the new rules and hopes to get these approved.
Needless to say, there have already been some carriers that have stepped up to offer similar ways to stop such hijacking frauds. Last year, T-Mobile was the last to join AT&T and Verizon to offer PIN numbers to secure the accounts of their customers whenever a SIM card swap request has been made.
Hopefully, the FCC’s new rules will get approved to finally put an end to these practices.
Source: The Verge
