Airtel Malawi has taken a significant step in combating mobile money fraud by removing the One Time Password (OTP) from its My Airtel App and implementing new security measures. This move aims to protect users from fraudulent activities and enhance the overall security of their mobile money transactions.
Charles Kamoto, Managing Director of Airtel Malawi, announced these changes during his appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information, and Communications Technology. He explained that Airtel has replaced OTP with an SMS verification function. This function sends a free auto-generated message to the user’s mobile number to authenticate ownership before entering the app, providing an additional layer of security.
Moreover, Airtel has incorporated biometric authentication features such as facial or fingerprint recognition for users with compatible devices. This measure ensures that only authorized users can access the app, preventing unauthorized attempts and fraudulent access attempts.
Kamoto emphasized that these enhancements are crucial to addressing the increasing incidences of fraud where users unwittingly release OTPs to criminals. The new security features provide a more secure way to authenticate users and protect them from potential scams.
“This technology ensures that only authorized users have effective access to the software, prohibiting unauthorized attempts and fraudulent access,” Kamoto noted.
The implementation of these advanced security measures reflects Airtel Malawi’s commitment to protecting its customers’ mobile money transactions and ensuring a safe digital experience.
