**Trust and Regulatory Balance Crucial for Digital Era: Airtel MD**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Oct 08, 2025, 05:14 PM*
Gopal Vittal, Managing Director of Bharti Airtel and Chairman of GSMA, has underscored the urgent need for a new framework centered on trust and regulatory balance in today’s digital age. Speaking at the Indian Mobile Congress 2025, Vittal emphasized that although India has made significant strides in achieving widespread connectivity, the next major challenge lies in protecting users and enhancing institutional collaboration.
**Digital Challenges in the Connected World**
Highlighting the critical importance of connectivity, Vittal stated, “Connectivity today is like a fundamental right.” However, he pointed out that beyond mere connectivity, fostering trust, ensuring security, and promoting inclusion are essential pillars in the digital era.
Vittal also raised concerns about the rising tide of financial scams and cybercrimes that are steadily eroding public confidence in technology. These threats, he warned, could have catastrophic consequences if left unaddressed.
**A Collaborative Approach to Digital Security**
In its efforts to combat digital threats, Airtel has taken significant steps, including blocking 48 billion spam messages and 350,000 fraudulent links through its advanced spam detection initiative.
However, Vittal acknowledged that individual efforts are insufficient to tackle these challenges at scale. He advocated for the creation of new global institutions—such as a dedicated “fraud bureau”—to enable collective action against scams and other cyber threats.
**Striking a Regulatory Balance**
Responding to these concerns, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, affirmed the government’s dedication to crafting regulations that protect users while fostering innovation.
Sekhar highlighted ongoing government initiatives to develop emerging technologies—including semiconductors, quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and 6G—supported by clear objectives and dedicated funding.
As India navigates the evolving digital landscape, experts like Vittal and policymakers alike emphasize the importance of trust, collaboration, and balanced regulation to ensure a secure and inclusive digital future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/digital-age-needs-new-regulatory-balance-airtel-s-gopal-vittal/story