France Leads the Charge in Combating Fraud with New Telco APIs
France’s major mobile operators – Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange, and SFR – join forces to introduce innovative tools designed to protect online businesses and consumers from a surge in digital fraud. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, marks the first deployment of its kind worldwide.
Protecting Consumers仰 Data in a Digital World
In an increasingly interconnected world, online transactions and digital services have become commonplace. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, France has witnessed a 37% surge in online transactions, with a staggering 2.35 billion euros changing hands in 2023 alone. Notably, 77% of these transactions were conducted via mobile devices, highlighting the growing reliance on mobile technology for financial activities.
This shift towards digital has unfortunately coincided with a parallel rise in online fraud attempts. A worrying 80% of French companies report experiencing online fraud threats, with 45% observing a steep increase in such incidents over the last year. Furthermore, digital identity theft cases have surged by 40% in the past four years, according to the French Interior Ministry, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
KYC Match and SIM Swap: Powerful New Tools Against Fraud
To combat these rising threats, the four leading operators are introducing two new application programmable interfaces (APIs): KYC Match and SIM Swap, both developed and deployed based on the new CAMARA standard that aims to unify specifications for all mobile operators.
“The goal is to provide app developers and companies with the tools they need to combat online fraud and protect the digital identities of their customers,” explains [Quote from a relevant spokesperson].
KYC Match allows online businesses to verify the identity of new customers with ease and accuracy. This API streamlines the know-your-customer process, enhancing user experience while minimizing the risk of fraudulent registrations.
SIM Swap, on the other hand, tackles the growing threat of SIM swapping attacks. By integrating this API, businesses can add an extra layer of protection by verifying the legitimacy of SIM card changes, effectively safeguarding user accounts from unauthorized access.
Early Adoption and Testament to Effectiveness
The APIs have already undergone rigorous testing and are being utilized by several French financial institutions, including BforBank (the online branch of Credit Agricole) and Fortuneo (a subsidiary of Credit Mutuel Arkéa). These institutions have integrated KYC Match to proactively verify new customer identities in collaboration with DQE Software, demonstrating the API’s real-world applicability and efficacy.
More than twenty companies in France have already embraced these Telco APIs, incorporating them into their existing systems to prevent fraud during account takeover attempts and verify customer identities throughout transactions and onboarding processes.
A Global Initiative for a Secure Digital Future
The launch of these APIs marks an important milestone in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This global effort aims to simplify the development of digital products that function seamlessly across diverse devices and networks, transcending geographical limitations.
Since its inception, the GSMA Open Gateway initiative has garnered significant momentum, with 67 mobile network groups representing a vast network of 278 networks, covering three-quarters of all mobile connections worldwide. Additionally, 26 sales partners have joined this collaborative movement, highlighting the industry’s commitment to a secure and interconnected digital future.
What are the two new APIs launched by French mobile operators to combat online fraud?
## Interview: France Takes the Lead in Combating Online Fraud
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing a groundbreaking initiative in the fight against online fraud. Joining us to discuss this is [Name], [Title] at [Company]. Welcome to the show!
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. France has just announced an exciting development in the battle against online fraud. Can you tell us more about this initiative?
**Guest:** Absolutely. France’s leading mobile operators – Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange, and SFR – are joining forces to launch two new APIs, KYC Match and SIM Swap. This is the first deployment of its kind globally, made possible by the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. [1]
**Host:** These sound like powerful tools. Can you explain what they do?
**Guest:** KYC Match helps online businesses verify the identity of their new customers more easily and securely. It’s a game changer for the know-your-customer process, making it faster for legitimate users while stopping fraudsters in their tracks.
SIM Swap, on the other hand, tackles the issue of SIM-swapping fraud. This happens when criminals take over someone’s phone number and then use it to access their accounts. This API helps providers quickly detect and prevent these attacks.
**Host:** We’ve seen a surge in online transactions in recent years. Can you shed light on why this initiative is so timely?
**Guest:** You’re right, online transactions have exploded, especially since the pandemic. In France alone, online transactions increased by 37% in just one year, with a total of 2.35 billion euros spent online in 2023. [This paragraph]. Unfortunately, this rise in online activity has been accompanied by a surge in fraud attempts, affecting both businesses and individuals.
**Host:** It’s alarming to hear. What makes these APIs so innovative?
**Guest:** This is a truly collaborative effort. These APIs are built on the CAMARA standard, a new, unified specification for mobile operators globally. This means that these tools can be easily adopted by developers and businesses throughout the world. [1]
**Host:** This is a huge step forward in protecting consumers and businesses. What’s next for this initiative?
**Guest:** This is just the beginning. The goal is for these APIs to become a global standard, helping to create a safer online environment for everyone.
**Host:** Thank you so much for shedding light on this important development, [Guest Name]. We wish you the best of luck in this crucial fight against online fraud!
**Guest:** Thank you for having me.
[1] https://www.mobileworldlive.com/europe/french-operators-target-fraud-with-upcoming-api-launches/