Measures to Counter Spam by TRAI and Government

Measures to Counter Spam by TRAI and Government

Sub: Sci

Sec: IT

Context:- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will be using distributed ledger technology (DLT) to register spam preferences from customers. Spam rules will be tightened to make commercial messages traceable, the TRAI has indicated

About TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, to regulate the telecom sector and ensure fair practices in the industry, including combating Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), commonly referred to as spam.

Key roles of TRAI in fighting spam

• Implementing the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) registry in 2007, allowing telecom customers to opt out of commercial calls and messages.
• Introducing the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), 2018, which penalizes telemarketers who violate DND preferences.
• Collaborating with external agencies to create a DND app for reporting spam complaints. By 2024, DND reporting became mandatory on telecom providers’ apps.

TRAI’s Blockchain-Based Measures

Blockchain technology, also known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), is a key component of TRAI’s efforts to combat spam.

Here’s how it works:

• Blockchain stores a constantly updated and immutable list of approved SMS senders and pre-approved message templates.
• For instance, an OTP message like “Your OTP is 433012” is stored in the blockchain as a format, e.g., “Your OTP is …,” with placeholders for variables.
• Messages are required to be sent using sender IDs, not phone numbers, ensuring traceability.

Blockchain ensures:

• Immutability: Every entry in the blockchain is tamper-proof, providing reliable data for all stakeholders.
• Traceability: Telecom operators maintain a complete record of message origins, plugging loopholes that previously allowed unauthorized entities to send spam.

In 2024, regulations were tightened to enhance message traceability, addressing issues where fraudulent entities bypassed the system by registering on the blockchain.

Government Measures Against Spam

Key steps taken by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) include:

Sanchar Saathi Portal:

• Includes the reporting platform Chakshu for complaints about fraudulent calls and messages.
• Partnered with banks, law enforcement, and stakeholders to identify and cancel unauthorized telemarketer numbers.

Telecom Security Operation Centre:

• Monitors suspicious internet traffic in real time from its New Delhi headquarters.

Labeling Spam Calls:

• Telecom providers like Airtel use AI to flag suspicious calls as “Suspected Spam.”
• Labelling of international calls on smartphones has also been initiated.