São Paulo, Nov 29: In a groundbreaking move, Brazil’s leading mobile operators, Claro, TIM, and Vivo, have unveiled three cutting-edge network API services aimed at enhancing digital security: Number Verify, SIM Swap, and Device Location.
This collaborative effort, announced at a GSMA event in São Paulo, marks the first such initiative in the region supported by multiple operators.
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative, launched earlier this year at MWC Barcelona, signifies a transformative shift in global telecoms, fostering the development and market introduction of secure mobile apps and digital services.
With nearly 40 mobile operator groups worldwide already on board, representing 228 mobile networks and 64 per cent of global connections, this initiative sets a common and open framework between operators, making it easier for developers to create seamless and secure applications.
The three privacy-focused APIs introduced by Brazilian operators target digital fraud prevention in mobile commerce and financial institutions:
- Number Verify: Offering frictionless verification of a user’s mobile number through advanced authentication, this API enhances user experience by eliminating the reliance on SMS. It provides automatic activation for identity verification, mitigating issues such as users not receiving SMS or facing technological barriers.
- SIM Swap: This API checks if a phone number recently underwent a SIM card change, preventing account takeover attacks. Financial institutions, for instance, can use this to verify the stability of the relationship between the customer’s phone number and SIM card during financial transactions.
- Device Location: Enabling organizations to confirm a device’s location, this API aids in spotting and preventing fraudulent transactions. It safeguards against GPS manipulation or fake GPS usage, ensuring the authenticity of the location provided by the mobile device owner to the service.
As part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, these APIs will be globally federated, connecting developers not only to Brazil’s 145 million mobile customers but also to new customers worldwide as the initiative expands.
Strategic partners Infobip and Microsoft Azure collaborated with local operators in the development of these APIs, which are expected to be individually available for commercial use by the end of 2023.
Carlos Araujo of Claro emphasized the initiative’s role in identity validation and fraud prevention, while Renato Ciuchini of TIM highlighted the commitment to creating a safer environment in the Brazilian market.
Debora Bortolasi of Vivo hailed the initiative as a milestone, transforming telecommunications into programmable digital platforms.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, commended Brazil’s mobile operators for leading the way in improving digital security.
The APIs presented are aligned with the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, defined and developed in CAMARA, an open-source project that provides developers access to enhanced network capabilities. The Brazilian ecosystem is set to expand in 2024 with the inclusion of new partners NTT Data and Vonage.
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