The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has launched a major crackdown against telemarketers and entities engaged in sending spam calls and texts, disconnecting personal numbers used for such activities. As part of its efforts to protect consumer privacy, TRAI has disconnected over 18 lakh numbers and blacklisted more than 800 entities in the past three months alone.
In an interview with NDTV Profit, TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti emphasized that the regulatory framework for registered telemarketers is comprehensive, but personal numbers used for spamming would face strict penalties. “It’s a big menace for the privacy of telecom consumers,” Lahoti stated. “For registered telemarketers, TRAI has a comprehensive regulatory framework.”
The crackdown is part of a wider initiative to address the growing issue of unsolicited communications, which have raised serious concerns about consumer privacy. Lahoti explained that TRAI had conducted a thorough analysis of the ways the system was being misused, leading to stringent new measures.
Service providers have been instructed to remove unused content templates and headers to curb the issue of spam messages. Additionally, TRAI has mandated that every message must include a binding of the principal entity responsible for sending the communication. The telecom regulator has also introduced a significant technical change, ensuring that all commercial calls are made from numbers within the ‘140’ series. This measure is designed to make such calls traceable through a distributed ledger technology platform.
To protect consumers, the TRAI Chairman also highlighted that individuals who have registered on the ‘Do Not Disturb’ (DND) list will no longer receive commercial calls. However, in cases where commercial calls are genuinely important, such as those preventing service deficiencies, TRAI is working with stakeholders to create an additional series of numbers for service and transactional calls.
In tackling fraudulent messages, TRAI has ensured that any message carrying a suspicious or fraudulent link will be blocked by the distributed ledger technology platform unless the link is specifically whitelisted. This system significantly reduces the chances of consumers falling victim to scams through text messages.
“The technical work in this regard is complete, and there has been a perceptible fall in the number of spam messages and calls,” Lahoti said, commending the telecom industry’s efforts in curbing the issue.
With these measures, TRAI aims to provide consumers with a safer, more private telecommunication experience, while addressing the growing concerns surrounding spam and fraudulent communications.
Sources By Agencies
