NPCI asks UPI apps to mask phone numbers and account details by September 4

NPCI has directed banks and UPI apps to limit the display of customer phone numbers, UPI IDs and bank-account details under DPDP-aligned privacy rules. Apps may retain visibility of only the final four mobile digits and offer UPI IDs not tied to phone numbers.

— Filed Wed, 29 Jul, 2026, 11:48 IST · Source Business Today · Latest · Updated

NPCI has directed banks and UPI apps to mask customers’ phone numbers, UPI IDs and bank-account details to align with DPDP privacy requirements. Platforms may show only the last four mobile digits and enable non-mobile-number-based UPI IDs.

Why this matters

NPCI's privacy directive adds a data-protection layer to its recent UPI product activity, including its proposed UPI Meta checkout framework and reported offline tap-and-pay plans for retail PoS terminals.

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