TRAI’s Role in Combatting Spam:
- TRAI regulates Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), commonly referred to as spam.
- Introduced the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) registry in 2007 to block unwanted calls and messages from telemarketers.
- Developed a DND app for users to register their preferences and report violations.
- Under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), 2018, repeated violations by telemarketers result in blacklisting.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
Blockchain Technology in Fighting Spam:
- In 2024, TRAI mandated the use of blockchain (distributed ledger) to store a real-time, updated list of approved SMS senders.
- Blockchain ensures immutability, preventing tampering and ensuring traceability of messages sent from registered senders.
- A significant rule mandates the use of sender IDs (instead of phone numbers) for commercial messages.
- This approach makes it harder for spammers to bypass regulations, ensuring transparency and accountability in commercial messaging.
- Blockchain technology improves tracking by maintaining a tamper-proof record of who issued a message before it is sent.
Effectiveness of Current Measures:
- For DND Users:
- Registered DND users experience reduced spam from legitimate businesses adhering to regulations.
- Challenges with Evolving Spam Tactics:
- Spam tactics are continually evolving, with fraudsters often using disposable 10-digit phone numbers or international VoIP numbers to evade detection.
- Fraudulent calls, particularly those related to cyber scams, have increased due to the rise of digitalization and online scams.
- Spam calls originating from international numbers further complicate enforcement.
- Limitations:
- While spam from legitimate businesses is reduced, fraudulent and scam calls are more difficult to control in real-time.
Government Measures to Combat Spam:
- Sanchar Saathi Portal:
- A portal by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for reporting fraudulent calls and messages.
- Partners with law enforcement, banks, and other entities to track and cancel numbers associated with unauthorized telemarketing or scams.
- Telecom Security Operation Centre:
- Monitors suspicious internet traffic in real-time to identify and block fraudulent activities.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) by Telecom Companies:
- Telecom companies like Airtel use AI to label suspicious calls as “Suspected Spam,” helping users identify potential threats.
- Other telcos are adopting similar AI-driven methods.
- Suspicious International Calls:
- Telcos are now labeling international calls on smartphones, aiding in distinguishing between legitimate and fraudulent international traffic.
Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Registry:
- A service that allows telecom customers to opt out of unsolicited commercial communications by registering their preference to block spam.
- Messages and calls from telemarketers to registered users are prohibited under the TRAI guidelines.
