Apple and Google Play Store block two apps: In response to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) guidelines intended to reduce cyber fraud, Google and Apple have deleted the international eSIM apps Airalo and Holafly from their Indian app stores. As to the Times of India, the Department of Telecoms and Internet Service Providers has been directed by the DoT to prevent users from accessing the websites linked to these applications. The prohibition is the result of fraudsters operating within India’s cybercrimes abusing unapproved eSIMs with overseas phone numbers.

The two banned apps, Holafly and Airalo, were taken down from the Indian versions of the Google Play Store and Apple App Store under the DoT’s directives. The removal was started by the telecom ministry’s Department of Telecommunications to fight cyber fraud. Furthermore, the government has pushed telecom and internet service providers to restrict access to the websites linked to these programmes within the nation.

The impacted applications are Holafly and Airalo, which provide eSIM services for international telephony. These apps were taken down from the Google Play Store, especially for the Indian market. Apple and Google have not released an official statement about this action, despite the removal. For instance, Holafly was indicated as “not available in your region” when checked on the Google Play store. Following instructions from the DoT on January 4, the corporations moved quickly.

After it was discovered that scammers were using unregistered eSIMs with overseas phone numbers to commit cybercrimes and con gullible citizens, the authorities decided to outlaw these applications. Notably, to receive a no-objection certificate (NoC) from the DoT, providers of eSIM services—which provide digital SIM cards for phone calls and internet data without the need for a physical SIM card—must apply. On the other hand, consumers in India can still download and utilize other eSIM providers like Nomad eSIM and aloSIM via these app shops.