The World Opinion

Tag: pesky calls

  • Spam Menace: 3K Registered Senders Whitelist Over 70K Links As Per Centre’s Directive |

    New Delhi: More than 3,000 registered senders have whitelisted more than 70,000 URLs, APKs (Android package kit) or OTT (over the top) links as per the government directive to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links, it was announced on Thursday.

    In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (uniform resource locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued a directive on August 20, and then extended it till September 30.

    The new rule, instructing all access providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been whitelisted, is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024.

    To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers.

    “So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links,” said the Ministry of Communications.

    This initiative is designed to foster a transparent and secure communication system.

    “By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment,” said the telecom regulator.

    Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy under which only pre-approved or trusted users, entities, or actions are allowed to operate on a system or network. By preventing unauthorized access, whitelisting can greatly reduce the risk of malware infection and cyber intrusion.

    Telecom service providers blocked over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and telecom resources earlier this month.

    The TRAI has also introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services.

  • Over 1 Crore Fraudulent Mobile Connections Disconnected With Help Of Sanchar Saathi: DoT |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi.

    “The DoT launched a citizen centric platforms, Sanchar Saathi (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in), to fight cyber fraud, enabling citizens to report suspicious calls & messages. Till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi. Further, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets have been blocked for involvement in cybercrime /financial frauds,” DoT said.

    To curb the menace of spam calls, TRAI has directed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities using bulk connections for spam calls, including robocalls and pre-recorded calls. In the last fortnight over 3.5 lakh such numbers have been disconnected and 50 entities have been blacklisted. In addition, around 3.5 Lakh unused/ unverified SMS headers and 12 Lakh content templates are blocked.

    In parallel, with an objective of improving the network performance, benchmarks are to be gradually tightened for key network parameters like network availability, call drop rates, packet drop rates, etc. In this regard, TRAI has released its revised regulations, “The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024 (06 of 2024)”.

    These regulations will come into effect from October 01, 2024 and from 1st April 2025 monthly monitoring of QoS performance of mobile service will be started instead of quarterly basis.

    The TRAI has also issued consultation papers on provisions of immediate suspension of services of Unregistered Telemarketers on receipt of complaints beyond a pre-defined threshold number, and implementation of proactive detection and action on suspected spammers.

  • Spam Calls: 50 Entities Blacklisted, 2.75 Lakhs Mobile Numbers Disconnected.

    New Delhi: Amidst the significant rise in spam calls, telecom operators have blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI’s) directives.

    TRAI said that it has observed a significant rise in spam calls, with over more than 7.9 lakh complaints reported against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) in the first half of the year 2024 (January to June).

    Taking this issue seriously, TRAI had issued stringent directives to all Access Providers on 13th August 2024. It has mandated Access Providers to immediately stop promotional voice calls from unregistered senders or telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources. Any UTM found to be misusing these resources will face severe consequences, including disconnection of all telecom resources for up to two years and blacklisting.

    “Consequent of these directions, Access Providers have taken stern measures against misuse of telecom resources for spamming and blacklisted over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh SIP DID/Mobile Numbers/Telecom resources. These steps are expected to have a significant impact on reducing TRAI urges all stakeholders to comply with the directives and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient telecom ecosystem,” said the telecom regulator.

  • Spam Calls: TRAI Releases Review Consultation Paper To Address Unsolicited Commercial Communications Issue |

    New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday issued a consultation paper seeking public comments on “Review of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018” to address the issue of Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC).

    These regulations aim to protect consumers from unwanted promotional calls and messages, while allowing businesses to send targeted communications to customers who have consented for or set preferences to receive them. The Consultation Paper aims to bring forward issues observed during implementation, and which need immediate attention. The provisions of regulations related to these issues may need amendment.

    The Consultation Paper is available on TRAI website www.trai.gov.in. Written comments on the consultation Paper are invited from the stakeholders by September 25, 2024. Counter comments, if any, may be submitted by October 09, 2024. The comments and counter-comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form on the e- mail address [email protected].

    “TRAI is seeking input on areas to strengthen the regulations, including stricter provisions against the Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) who harass the public through spam calls, improved complaint redressal mechanisms, more effective UCC detection systems, stronger financial disincentives for violation of regulatory provisions, and revised regulations for senders and telemarketers. The paper also explores the possibility of differential tariffs for voice calls and SMS to discourage UCC,” said an official release.

  • TRAI Convenes Meeting To Protect Consumers From Harms Of Spam And Fraud.

    New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) convened a meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) to protect consumers from harms of spam and fraud; ensure more secure and efficient telecom ecosystem.

    In his address, TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti stressed the need for a joint effort to tackle the problem of spam messages and calls.

    The meeting was held on August 27, 2024, at TRAI headquarters in New Delhi. Members of the JCoR from IRDAI, PFRDA, RBI, SEBI, MoCA, MeitY, and TRAI attended the meeting. Additionally, DoT and MHA representatives joined as special guests. The JCoR serves as a collaborative platform to examine regulatory implications in the digital age and work collaboratively on regulatory frameworks.

    Lahoti urged the regulators to discuss and enable implementation of (i) whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTT links and call back numbers to be sent in SMS, (ii) migration of existing telemarketers making promotional calls to 140 series on DLT platform, and ( iii) Declaration of entire chain of telemarketers engaged by them for PE-TM chain binding.

    The meeting explored potential collaborative efforts and strategies to address UCC and fraud through telecom resources. The key issues discussed are as given below-


    – Role of Entities in Whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTT links, and call back numbers in the content templates and ensuring the traceability of all the messages from Senders to recipients – Many instances of misuse of headers and templates have been observed. Fraud takes place through the transmission of malicious links using the variable parts of the messages. In case of misuse of headers and content templates, it is difficult to find the entity that pushed the traffic. Therefore, mandatory whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTT links, or call back numbers, and declaration of entire chain of telemarketers engaged by them for PE-TM chain binding as per the timelines fixed by TRAI’s latest Directions needs to be enforced.

    – Addressing the issue of entities using PRI/ SIP channels for making unsolicited calls – Many business entities make commercial voice calls using SIP/ PRI lines with hundreds of indicators in violation of TRAI’s regulations. These entities should be migrated to the designated 140 series for making promotional calls. Also, there is an urgent need to take firm action, without further delay, on spammers who are using PRI/ SIP/ bulk connections for making promotional voice calls/ Robo calls/ Pre-recorded calls.

    – Leveraging the DCA system established by telecom service providers to obtain digital consent from consumers – DCA system will be of great value to the entities, not only for messaging services, but also for voice calls. It permits the delivery of Messages and calls to the recipients despite their DND preference. The technical infrastructure for DCA is now in place. Regulators were requested to ask the entities under their jurisdiction to start using this facility in time bound manner.

    – Use of 160 series by the Entities for making service and transactional calls for easy identification by the consumers – 160 series has been allocated exclusively for Service and Transactional Calls. A Pilot Study was commissioned by TRAI and RBI to determine the technical feasibility of various options, the outcome of the same was discussed.

    – Enhancing information exchange among regulators to control frauds using telecom resources – Emphasis was given to exchange information available with various regulators on their platforms and for its effective use to control frauds.

  • Spam Calls: Govt Extends Timeline For Submission Of Feedback By 15 Days |

    New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, on Thursday extended the timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024.

    “In view of requests received from various Federations, Associations and other stakeholders to extend timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has decided to extend the timeline by 15 days from the last date of submission i.e. 21.07.2024,” said an official release.

    The comments may now be submitted until 05 August 2024, it added.

    The Department has received various suggestions/comments which are currently under examination. The comments may be submitted by email to js-ca[at]nic[dot]in.

    Central Consumer Protection Authority had issued guidelines to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and violation of their consumer rights through unsolicited and unwarranted business communication in the form of voice calls, SMS, and instant messaging applications including through social media platforms.

    These guidelines, called the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024 shall apply to all persons and establishments that makes or causes to make the business communication (Maker); that engages the Maker of such communication; that would be the intended beneficiary from such communication; and in whose name such communication was made by the Maker.

    No person or establishment to whom these guidelines are applicable shall engage in any unsolicited or unwarranted business communication initiated in violation of the conditions said the guidelines.