Google restricts access to Holafly and Airalo apps in India

Due to noncompliance with telecom laws, Google has limited access to Holafly and Airalo apps in India, as per a directive from the Department of Telecommunications. The apps did not have the necessary permissions to be used in the nation for the sale or rental of foreign roaming SIM cards. Google's action is in line with the updated DoT policy, which went into force in January 2022. Downloads are still not blocked by Apple.  

According to the DoT's revised policy for the issue or renewal of NOCs for sale and rent of international roaming SIM cards or global calling cards for foreign operations in India that went into effect in January 2022, foreign operators must receive a NOC from the DoT in order to sell or rent international roaming SIM cards to customers in India. As per data available on the DoT's website, 22 providers were granted an NOC as of September 30, 2023. 

In order to receive an NOC from the DoT, providers must be registered as an Indian company and provide usage of the international cards outside India. They must also collect a copy of a user's passport with the visa, proof of identity, and proof of address. They must also provide security agencies with a detailed monthly report complete with details of the customers who have been provided with SIM cards, as per the policy. 

As per sources the discussions were ongoing with the iPhone maker in order to restrict access to both apps on the company's smartphones in the country, which means the apps could be blocked at a later stage.