Special Assistant Fayez Ahmed Tayeb has warned of security breaches where one-time passwords (OTPs) from Facebook and banking accounts are being intercepted.

“SMS messages containing OTPs and passwords must pass through secure channels. Without regulation, personal security is at risk,” he cautioned.

Currently, mobile operators handle international SMS traffic, but the BTRC’s proposed licensing system will make separate licenses mandatory for international SMS services. This, Tayeb argued, will ensure 100% revenue collection and improved security.

He added that in the future, OTP codes will be delivered via mobile authenticator apps instead of SMS, reducing reliance on vulnerable text-based systems.