PTA and Meta target recycled SIMs, block 176,000 accounts

The telecommunication authority has partnered with Meta to shut down accounts linked to cancelled mobile numbers in a drive to curb cyber fraud.

Meta deactivated 176,000 WhatsApp accounts tied to recycled SIMs following requests from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

PTA has submitted 10 million inactive SIM numbers to Meta for cross-checking and profile deactivation.

Telecom companies in Pakistan currently hold about 16 million recycled numbers that carry digital security risks.

A monthly quota of 5,000 recycled mobile numbers will now be sent to Meta for phased profile removal.

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