Why in news?

India’s telecom regulator, TRAI, has introduced new rules under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018, to curb spam calls and messages.

Telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vi must analyze call and SMS patterns in real time to detect spammers and report spam activity. Misreporting can result in fines ranging from ₹2 lakh for the first offense to ₹10 lakh for repeated violations.

The revised regulations aim to combat evolving telecom misuse and create a more transparent commercial communication system for consumers.

What’s in today’s article?

• Cracking Down on Spam Communication
• Rising Spam Calls: A Daily Nuisance

Cracking Down on Spam Communication

• Faster Action Against Spam
  • Users can now report spam more easily, with telecom operators required to act within 5 days, down from the previous 30-day limit.
• Clear Identification of Spam Calls
  • Telemarketers can no longer use normal 10-digit numbers for promotional calls. Instead:
    • 140 series remains for promotional calls.
    • 1600 series is now designated for transactional and service calls (already being implemented).
• Opting Out of Promotional Messages
• Telecom operators must provide a mechanism for users to opt out of promotional communication, though users can opt in
• Stricter Monitoring of Spam Activity
  • Operators must analyze call and SMS patterns based on factors like:
    • High call volumes
    • Short call durations
    • Low incoming-to-outgoing call ratios
  • This real-time monitoring helps detect potential spammers.
• Stronger Verification & Penalties
  • Telemarketers must undergo physical verification, biometric authentication, and unique mobile number linking.
  • Repeated violators will have all telecom resources suspended.
  • Operators must maintain detailed records of complaints and sender information to ensure quick action.

Rising Spam Calls: A Daily Nuisance

• Millions of Indians face persistent spam calls from sectors like banking and insurance, despite repeated government efforts to curb the issue.
• A LocalCircles survey (Feb 2023) of 12,000 respondents revealed:
  • 60% receive 3 or more spam calls daily
  • 30% get 1-2 spam calls per day
  • 36% receive 3-5 calls daily
  • 21% get 6-10 calls daily
  • 3% receive over 10 unwanted calls daily
• The issue continues to worsen, with telecom operators often playing a role in the surge.