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Indian Mobile Operators Help Online Businesses Combat Scams and Identity Theft Through New Federated Network Services, Supported by GSMA Open Gateway

New GSMA report shows more than half of Indian’s have been scammed, with 14% reporting financial loss

NEW DELHI, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — India’s three largest mobile network operators – Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea – today provided an update on how they are further strengthening their efforts to tackle digital scams, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.

While the three operators are running a series of individual programmes to help keep their customers safe from scams, today they outlined how they are also working together as a mobile ecosystem, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, to provide banks and other online platforms with new, federated ways to verify customer identities and combat digital fraud. 
The updates come as the GSMA published new research at India Mobile Congress showing that digital scams are an escalating concern for consumers across India, with more than half of Indian consumers (53%) having been scammed, with 10% having fallen victim in the past year. The GSMA commissioned “India Consumer Scam Report 2025”, authored by advisory firm Armidale, shows that growth in digital scams and fraud is eroding digital trust.

Indian Operators Provide GSMA Open Gateway Update at India Mobile Congress

Speaking at India Mobile Congress 2025, the operators outlined plans to provide enterprise developers at banks and online retailers with federated access to new services including the SIM Swap and Number Verification APIs (Application Programmable Interface). Federated CAMARA APIs, certified by the GSMA, help developers build services that work with every participating mobile network, while allowing each operator to keep control of its data, policy and revenue. The software provides an interface, interoperability and global cross-country coverage, so digital enterprises can easily and securely connect their services to the rich, intelligent functionality that mobile operator networks can provide.
Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea have already launched the SIM Swap API, which help banks prevent account takeover attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering techniques and stolen personal data to take control of the account owner’s SIM card.
All three operators also plan to launch a CAMARA-based Number Verification API before the end of 2025. This API is a more secure replacement for SMS One-Time Passwords (OTPs). It allows businesses to verify a mobile user’s identity by matching their phone number against real-time network data to protect Indians against digital scams, simultaneously ensuring a seamless customer experience.

GSMA Launches India Consumer Scam Survey

The GSMA commissioned “India Consumer Scam Report 2025” published today, also highlights why the mobile industry is looking to work more closely with financial services and online retail firms to tackle scams and fraud by building new innovative services.
The report found widespread concerns over scams, as well as significant financial and emotional impact on victims. It revealed:

Victimisation: 10% percent of respondents were scammed in the past year;

Financial harm: 14% of victims lost material sums that still trouble them.

Digital trust: 58% of Indian consumers said they are “very worried” about scams, with 84% believing they are increasing. Some 42% believe the threat is “increasing rapidly.”

Attack vectors: Email, SMS and Messaging Apps are the biggest channels for scammers; however, Dating App and QR code scams are more prominent in India than other parts of Asia. (Online dating scam victims: 14% vs. 7% ASEAN Average and QR Code scams: 18% vs. 10% ASEAN average).

GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon: India Connected – APIs for a Billion Lives

India’s three largest mobile operators have also teamed up with Nokia and the GSMA, to an inaugural GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon at India Mobile Congress to accelerate development of new innovations and network API based services using network capabilities.
The hackathon entitled “India Connected – APIs for a Billion Lives” has received more than 2,300 registrations and 400 ideas, or solution concepts, from developers, startups, and innovators with 100 finalists invited to attend and build new API-powered solutions to address real-world challenges across India’s diverse landscape. Using Open Gateway APIs, and Nokia’s Network as Code platform, participants will create services that improve lives, unlock new revenue streams, and demonstrate the transformative potential of network intelligence.
In addition to developing new services that prevent fraud, participants are invited to develop and showcase new innovations, using Nokia’s Network as Code platform, that show how network API services can support financial inclusion, healthcare access, emergency services, agritech and rural connectivity, education and digital inclusion in India. Previous GSMA Open Gateway hackathons in Barcelona and China have led to the development of new services including an application called, “On Time” that used location and population density APIs to analyse real-time passenger information, over-crowding and delays on Catalonia’s public transport system. In Asia, China Telecom helped tackle digital exclusion by developing TeleNavi, a voice-only intelligent location technology to help the elderly hail taxis.

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA, said: “India is the world’s second largest mobile market and home to a significant developer community. Mobile operator commitment to GSMA Open Gateway innovation can further accelerate India’s digital transformation, creating secure, interoperable services that protect consumer trust and create new revenue opportunities. This week’s hackathon and joint announcement are a symbol of collaboration that will collectively combat the scam economy. It will further support the creation of new innovations and network API-based services that can address real-world business and societal challenges to support India’s role as a global telecoms statesman.”

Sharat Sinha, CEO & Director, Airtel Business, said: “For over a year, Airtel has been at the forefront of combating spam, leveraging advanced network intelligence and artificial intelligence to restore consumer trust and ensure business continuity. The AI-powered spam defense and fraud detection solutions have already demonstrated significant efficacy, safeguarding over millions of customers by blocking over 53 billion unwanted calls, 2.5 billion SMSs and close to 4 lakh fraudulent links. Building on this established success, we are now furthering this mission through a strategic partnership with GSMA and other leading telecom providers, enabling access to our network APIs. This collaboration is designed to empower enterprises, enabling them to fortify their own protective measures for both their operations and their customer base, thereby fostering a safer, spam-free digital India.”

Avneesh Khosla, CMO, Vodafone Idea, said:

“Consumers are at the centre of every innovation we deliver. Network APIs have the ability to redefine digital trust by bringing unmatched safety, transparency, and simplicity to everyday online experiences. From protecting individuals against fraud to enabling frictionless logins, these APIs ensure that people enjoy both security and convenience without compromise. Together with GSMA and our ecosystem partners, we are committed to empowering consumers with solutions that make their digital life safer, more inclusive, and truly effortless.”

Shkumbin Hamiti, Vice President and Head of Network Monetization Platform, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, said: “We’re honoured that Nokia’s Network as Code has been chosen as the exclusive platform for the India Mobile Congress Hackathon. Partnering with GSMA Open Gateway and India’s top MNOs, Nokia is excited to show how Network as Code empowers India’s vibrant developer ecosystem to build new API-powered solutions that combat cybercrime, strengthen digital trust and address a wide range of real-world challenges.”
The Indian initiative forms part of the global GSMA Open Gateway programme, which now includes more than 79 mobile operator groups representing 291 networks and nearly 80% of mobile connections worldwide. By bringing together operators from around the world, the GSMA Open Gateway initiative facilitates the design of digital products capable of operating seamlessly on all devices, regardless of the country or operator. The service APIs are available through the CAMARA repository, an open-source project by the Linux Foundation and a fundamental part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.
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HOP Events, helmed by Kalpesh Kinariwala, bridges Indian talent and global prestige at the Shows of India 2026 Conclave

The anchor sponsorship of the Shows of India 2026 Conclave marks HOP Events’ official pathway into the Indian subcontinent; the UAE-based premium live entertainment company aims to source and showcase extraordinary Indian talent in the markets it operates in.This move will bridge the gap between iconic Indian artists — rooted in Indian and South Asian culture — and world-class international venues and global audiences.In addition to headlining the conclave as its anchor sponsor, HOP Events also made its presence felt in crucial conversations and networking hubs, with Founder and Chairman Kalpesh Kinariwala gracing the conclave as a speaker.NEW DELHI, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HOP Events, a UAE-based premium live entertainment company, made landfall on Indian shores through the eagerly awaited Shows of India 2026 Conclave. The sixth edition of the event, which drew to a close on May 2, brought together high-profile industry veterans, change-makers, and disruptors who are shaping the future of India’s live entertainment economy.

Led by industry trailblazer Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events not only participated as the anchor sponsor for the conclave but also broke new ground by offering Indian talent and agencies unprecedented inroads into global markets and prestigious productions.Held at Delhi’s upscale The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, the two-day Shows of India 2026 Conclave is India’s most anticipated flagship gathering focused on the live entertainment, events, and experiential segments. It brings together key players from across the industry’s value chain, including event professionals, artist managers, promoters, brands, and creators, and facilitates industry-shaping conversations and collaborations.HOP Events’ rationale for backing the Shows of India 2026 Conclave was simple but powerful – as a hub for some of the greatest artistic talent in the world, India stands to benefit immensely from HOP Events’ proven expertise in the premium live entertainment industry. With the conclave sitting at the intersection of India’s creative excellence and its commercial ambition, it is the perfect avenue for HOP Events to seek the artists, managers, collaborators, and cultural voices they want to elevate and present to the world. This anchor sponsorship is thus a declaration of HOP Events’ intent to champion Indian talent and carry it far beyond India’s borders.Elaborating further on the sponsorship, Kalpesh Kinariwala, Founder and Chairman of HOP Events, who also spoke at the conclave, shared:”India is producing some of the most streamed, most loved, and most culturally significant artists on the planet. Arijit Singh ranks ninth among Spotify’s top artists globally. A.R. Rahman has 75 million followers and ranks ahead of global superstars. Rishab Sharma is the number one followed sitar player in the world. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aditya Gadhvi, Anuv Jain — these are artists with massive, passionate global fanbases.Yet their presence on international stages, particularly in the Gulf and beyond, remains far below what their stature deserves. That is the opportunity HOP Events is seizing. The UAE is home to a millions-strong South Asian diaspora — professionals, families, and communities who are hungry for these artists and have both the means and the desire to attend premium live experiences. The Shows of India 2026 Conclave gives us the needed platform to engage with this talent ecosystem at exactly the moment when appetite for Indian talent on the global stage has never been higher.”The conclave’s growing eminence as a premium, high-production-value platform was further underscored by its association with HOP Events, an industry leader in creating large-scale experiential events. Through the years, the Shows of India Conclave has differentiated itself through its trailblazing properties and a star-studded artist line-up. By essaying the role of anchor sponsor for India’s premier business and entertainment conclave, HOP Events is throwing the doors open for partnerships with Indian artist managers, talent agencies, record labels, and creative professionals.As the force behind the sold-out Etihad Arena concert with Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma, HOP Events knows what it takes to market Indian artists to global audiences, fill premium venues, and create experiences that do justice to the cultural magnitude these artists carry.In the mid-to-long term, HOP Events aims to become the defining bridge between Indian artistic talent and the global stage. The company is actively scaling across the GCC and extending further into South Asian diaspora hubs globally, with the goal of bringing world-class talent backed by high-end productions and marketing sophistication to deep, passionate, and underserved audiences for Indian and South Asian cultural experiences.About HOP EventsFounded by industry veteran Kalpesh Kinariwala, HOP Events is one of the UAE’s most prestigious names in premium live entertainment. It is hailed for curating global live experiences across the UAE and beyond. The company brings together eminent international artists, creativity, and immaculate organization on one stage, delivering world-class live concerts and entertainment experiences that make a lasting impression on the cultural fabric of the region. HOP Events’ expertise spans from close-up intimate performances to sold-out iconic arenas and includes notable names such as Arijit Singh, A.R. Rahman, and Rishab Sharma. The company differentiates itself through the three pillars of innovation, excellence, and a strong community focus. In doing so, it creates experiences that anchor communities, build connection, and foster a stronger sense of belonging, while delighting audiences with seamless execution, elevated experiences, and disruptive thinking.https://hopevents.ae/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2972758/Kalpesh_Kinariwala.jpg 

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Every Colgate Smile Has A Story: Celebrating Real People, Real Stories, and Real Impact

A tribute to the unwavering faith of Indian mothers, the series kicks off with the authentic story of a legendary 125-year-old sweet-making family from Dehradun.Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQajpQ224EAMUMBAI, India, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — For nearly 90 Years, the indispensable Colgate tube has occupied a sacred, quiet corner of Indian homes serving as a Suraksha Chakra. It isn’t just a product; for generations of mothers, Colgate has earned a place as a ‘trusted member’ of the family, providing a foundation of care for their loved ones. 

Today, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited celebrates this enduring bond with the launch of the new platform, ‘Every Colgate Smile Has A Story’. This new series moves beyond traditional advertising to document the Real People, Real Stories, and Real Impact behind the brand’s 90-year legacy in India. The Heart of the Shield: A Mother’s Peace of MindAt the core of the campaign is the universal truth, a mother’s desire to protect her family, ensuring their health and well-being through every stage of life. This series explores what happens when this instinct meets a partner she can trust.To prove the strength of this shield, the series puts Colgate’s protection through the ultimate litmus test – a household with a 125-year-old legacy of making sweets.The first film, ‘Raised by Sweets,’ takes us to Dehradun into the home of Vertica Khandelwal, whose family has been crafting legendary sweets for over a century. Surrounded by a world of sugary temptations, Vertica balances her desire to let her children celebrate their heritage with the natural maternal anxiety regarding the impact such a sweet-rich environment could have on their teeth. Her peace of mind comes from a simple, powerful reassurance: ‘Colgate Sambhal Lega’ (Colgate will handle it). Science Rooted in LegacyWhile the stories are told through the lens of emotion, the foundation for Colgate is rigorous science. Colgate Strong Teeth reinforces this 90-year trust with its advanced Arginine + Calcium Boost Technology, providing 24-hour cavity protection. It is this quiet, scientific strength that gives mothers the confidence to let their children explore and grow, knowing the shield is always active.Gunjit Jain, Executive Vice President – Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, said: “For 90 years, mothers across India have trusted Colgate as their family’s ‘Suraksha Chakra.’ With ‘Every Colgate Smile Has A Story,’ we are stepping beyond traditional advertising to honour that profound trust. Vertica’s story in Dehradun perfectly captures what we stand for: allowing mothers to let their children fully experience life’s sweet moments, knowing our protection is always there.”The ‘Every Colgate Smile Has A Story’ series will be amplified nationwide across television, digital, and social media.About Colgate-Palmolive (India) LimitedColgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, and the planet. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited is the market leader in Oral Care in the country, committed to delivering sustainable, profitable growth for its shareholders, while fostering an inclusive workplace for its people. With a primary focus on science-led innovations in Oral Care & Personal Care in the Indian market, the company is recognized for its leadership and innovative efforts in advancing sustainability and community well-being. Among its recent accomplishments, the company has made significant strides in reducing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, conserving water and energy at its manufacturing facilities, empowering women with financial and digital literacy and enhancing children’s oral health through its flagship, Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program. For more information about Colgate’s global business and how it is building a future to smile about, visit: www.colgatepalmolive.co.inPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2972719/Colgate_Story.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2396024/Colgate_Palmolive_India_Logo.jpg 

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MSEED and SCOPE Global Skills University Sign Strategic Partnership to Shape the Future of Experiential Marketing Education

MUMBAI, India and BHOPAL, India, May 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Premium education institute MSEED (The Management School of Events and Experience Design) today partnered with SCOPE Global Skills University, Bhopal, to introduce a two-year MBA in Event Management and Experiential Marketing.

Besides boosting students academically, this association intends to equip them with the evolving demands of events and the experiential marketing ecosystem. Furthermore, the collaboration will be fueled by industry expertise and academic structure, helping students build a career in the fast-growing fields of events, entertainment, and experiential marketing.At a time when experiential marketing is ‘evolving from a tactical activation to a strategic growth engine for brands’, this collaboration serves right.Speaking on this exclusive partnership between MSEED and SCOPE, Joshua Newman, Vice-President – Marketing & Partnerships, MSEED, said, “Our focus has always been on outcomes, not just education. This partnership allows us to extend that vision by working with SCOPE Global Skills University to create a program that prepares students for real careers. From curriculum to classroom delivery and industry exposure, every aspect is designed to ensure that students graduate with confidence, clarity, and practical experience.”The MBA program is designed to:Provide a recognized postgraduate qualification with a specialized focusBuild practical skills through real-world projects and case studiesOffering industry interaction, mentorship, and exposureSupport students with internship and placement opportunitiesDr. Vijay Singh, Vice Chancellor of SGSU, hailed the launch as a landmark moment for the city. “This is a remarkable event not just for our university, but for the city of Bhopal. We are witnessing a paradigm shift in how specialized education is delivered in Madhya Pradesh. By launching this MBA in Event Management, we are providing our youth with a platform to master the art of execution, creativity, and management right here in their home state,” he said.The partnership was formally cemented through the signing of an agreement between the two institutions in the esteemed presence of Mangubhai C. Patel, the current and 19th Governor of Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of industry-integrated education in India.For more information on events and experiential marketing, please visit our website.Media Contacts:For media inquiries, please contactTasneem Limbdiwalatasneem@mseededucation.com About MSEEDMSEED, a part of EVA Group, India’s one of the largest live event companies, and backed by 200 odd industry veterans, the institute brings with it deep-rooted industry expertise and real-world insights. It is a creative business institute designed for the next generation of storytellers, strategists, producers, and brand builders. The mission is not just to prepare students for jobs, but to lead industries. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2971835/MSEED_SCOPE_Agreement.jpg 

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