TRAI enforces real-time spam detection of calls and SMSes
What's the story
In a major move, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has tweaked its spam-related rules, now mandating service providers to detect spammers in real time.
This will be done by analyzing the call and SMS patterns.
The new rules also impose penalties for misreporting the volume of spam calls and messages, with fines starting at ₹2 lakh for first-time offenders.
Penalty details
TRAI's penalty structure for misreporting spam activity
The penalty structure defined by TRAI for misreporting spam activity is tiered.
A first-time violation will attract a fine of ₹2 lakh. If the offense is repeated, the penalty increases to ₹5 lakh for the second instance and escalates to ₹10 lakh for subsequent violations.
This graded approach aims to deter service providers from underreporting or ignoring spam-related issues.
Tech integration
AI and DLT in TRAI's anti-spam measures
The revised rules also have provisions for using artificial intelligence (AI) to fight spam, but its usage is not mandatory.
TRAI Chairperson Anil Kumar Lahoti said that most of the changes would come into effect within 30 days.
However, those that require integration with distributed ledger technology (DLT), a system employed by TRAI to track spammers, will take as long as 60 days for implementation.
Regulatory update
TRAI's efforts to curb pesky calls and messages
The amendments are part of TRAI's ongoing efforts to curb annoying calls and messages from unregistered telemarketers and fraudsters.
These changes were proposed in a consultation paper released by TRAI in August, seeking suggestions on detecting and preventing spam.
Now, the revised regulations have categorized automated calls as commercial communication, further expanding the scope of anti-spam measures.
Category expansion
New categories and identifiers in commercial communication
Earlier, commercial communication was classified into three categories: transactional, service, and promotional.
The new rules have introduced government messaging as a fourth category.
Now, each message will come with an identifier (-T for transactional; -S for service; -P for promotional; and -G for government), clearly categorizing the content.
User control
TRAI's consent management system and robocall restrictions
The revised rules also seek to provide subscribers with more control over promotional messages.
An opt-out feature will be provided within these messages, although the exact functioning of this consent management system is still to be finalized.
Also, automated calls can now be made only from a certain series of numbers, with users having to reveal their purpose in advance.