Google Restricts Airalo, Holafly Apps in India for Non-Compliance

Google has reportedly restricted access to the Airalo and Holafly apps for users in India, citing non-compliance with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) policies. These apps, offering international eSIM services, enable users to access calling and data services while traveling abroad. The DoT requires foreign operators to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to sell or rent international roaming SIM cards in India, and Google’s action follows the DoT’s directives. As of September 30, 2023, 22 providers had received NOCs after fulfilling the specified criteria, such as being registered as Indian companies and submitting monthly reports on card usage and customer details to security agencies. While Google has restricted downloads of Airalo and Holafly on the Play Store, Apple is expected to follow suit, as per the DoT’s directives.

Users in India are currently unable to download the Airalo and Holafly apps via the Google Play store. The DoT’s revised policy, effective from January 2022, mandates that foreign operators seeking NOCs must be registered as Indian companies, provide usage details of international cards outside India, and collect user information, including a copy of the passport with visa, proof of identity, and proof of address. Additionally, the providers must submit detailed monthly reports to security agencies. The move reflects the government’s effort to ensure compliance with regulations in the telecom sector, specifically regarding international roaming services.