TRAI Anti-Spam Measures: In a decisive move against the rising menace of spam calls and texts, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has disconnected more than 1.8 million numbers and blacklisted over 800 entities over the last three months. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti shared this update, emphasizing the focus on privacy protection for telecom users.
New Regulations and Technology to Curb Spam
To prevent misuse of telecom networks, TRAI has ordered all service providers to remove unused templates and headers that previously contributed to spam messaging. “There’s a robust regulatory framework for registered telemarketers,” Lahoti explained, underscoring TRAI’s commitment to consumer privacy.
TRAI also requires that commercial calls use a designated ‘140’ number series, ensuring easy identification and traceability of these calls. For added security, each commercial call now routes through the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform, creating a transparent tracking system.
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Enhanced Consumer Safety for Link-Based Messages
For messages containing links, TRAI has introduced a whitelist system. Only pre-approved links are allowed through the DLT platform, reducing risks associated with fraudulent links. “Consumers can open links without fear of fraud,” assured the TRAI Chairman.
For users registered with ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND), unwanted commercial calls are blocked, except for essential service-related messages. To address the balance between necessary and nuisance messages, TRAI is exploring an additional series of numbers specifically for service and transactional calls.
Industry-Wide Collaboration to Combat Spam
The telecom industry has been instrumental in implementing these updates, and TRAI has noted a reduction in spam incidents since launching these measures. “I want to compliment the telecom industry for their efforts,” said Lahoti, indicating a noticeable decline in spam calls and messages.
With TRAI’s ongoing efforts and advanced technology, Indian consumers may soon enjoy a more secure and spam-free telecom experience.
