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Showing posts with label TRAI. Show all posts
TRAI
Airtel Cyber Security Jio Mobile Network Network Security OTP SMS Telecommunication TRAI

India’s New SMS Traceability Rules to Combat Fraud Begin November 1, 2024

 

Beginning November 1, 2024, Indian telecom providers Airtel, Jio, and Vi will follow a new set of SMS traceability and monitoring guidelines mandated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Aimed at combating cybercrime, these measures seek to enhance security by allowing users to block suspicious calls and messages effectively. By tracing SMS sources more accurately, telecom operators can swiftly identify and block fraudulent messages, improving the fight against scams and phishing attempts. 

Additionally, organizations sending promotional SMS, such as banks and e-commerce companies, must adhere to TRAI’s telemarketing standards, or risk their messages being blocked. This initiative aims to create a safer SMS ecosystem, giving users a clearer means to distinguish legitimate messages from scams. Yet, the vast volume of commercial messages sent in India—between 1.5 and 1.7 billion daily—makes it challenging to implement such a system seamlessly. With high-volume traffic, the infrastructure for monitoring requires robust capabilities to ensure message traceability without slowing down service for time-sensitive messages, especially for critical banking and transaction-related OTPs. Another layer of concern involves potential delays in urgent messages. 

These requirements could slow the delivery of essential communications, such as OTPs used in online banking. Telecoms are working to prevent this issue, as delays in these transactional messages could interrupt online financial processes. Balancing security and timely delivery is essential for TRAI and telecom providers, particularly for consumers who rely on timely OTPs and other immediate notifications. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents key telecom companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone-Idea, has requested a two-month delay to facilitate a smoother transition. This extension would allow telecom operators additional time to set up necessary infrastructure and conduct thorough testing to avoid unintentional service disruptions. 

While TRAI maintains its commitment to the November deadline, telecom companies argue that extra preparation time could ensure reliable service delivery and a smoother rollout. Telecom providers have committed to ensuring user security remains intact while providing efficient service. TRAI’s objective is to foster a more secure digital communication environment where consumers feel protected against fraud and unauthorized data use. However, the effectiveness of these changes depends heavily on the ability of telecom companies to meet these new standards without compromising service quality. 

TRAI’s new SMS traceability requirements represent a meaningful step forward in enhancing consumer protection against digital scams. Despite logistical challenges, this initiative could make India’s messaging landscape safer, allowing consumers greater peace of mind. The success of this system depends on how effectively telecom providers can balance secure traceability with minimal disruption to essential services, paving the way for a digital space that prioritizes both security and efficiency.
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TRAI
Airtel Cyber Attacks CyberCrime Cyberfraud Cyberhackers Cyberspam CyberThreat DoT Malicious calls SMS Telecom TRAI

India Launches New Initiatives to Combat Spam and Cyber Fraud

 


There is a renewed effort underway in the fight against spam and unsolicited commercial communication as the Department of Telecom (DoT), the telecom regulator Trai, and private telecommunication companies are launching new programs to combat cyber fraud and phishing attacks that are on the rise. 

Several regulatory agencies have been working hard to crack down on spammers and block the numbers of individuals who are engaging in fraudulent activities as detected by Trai and the DoT. It has been reported that the Trai and DoT have been targeting spammers and blocking numbers that seem suspicious. 

Additionally, they have met with representatives from telecom companies to establish new rules regarding vigilance and curbing unwanted activities to control them more effectively. The company has developed an AI-driven tool that helps identify spam and sends an alert to customers if it detects it. A blockchain-based spam control system has been rolled out by Vodafone Idea as part of its SMS spam control program. 

As part of Bharti Airtel's campaign to handle the issue of spam for customers, the company launched India's first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution on Wednesday. It has been a long time since they met with top representatives from telecom companies and asked them to be vigilant against these criminal activities as well as stipulating new rules to counter them in the future. 

A report issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the Department of Telecommunications has indicated that over a crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected, as well as 2.27 lakh handsets that are subject to financial fraud and cybercrime. According to Trai, mobile operators have been encouraged to disconnect telecom resources that are used for bulk spam calls and they have stated that such entities could be blacklisted for up to two years if they are not disconnected. 

Furthermore, telecom companies will be required to check all SMS transmissions containing non-whitelisted URLs, to reduce the misuse of SMS headers and templates and, as a result, ensuring that standard SMS protocols are followed. Trai has mandated as of November 1, all telecommunications operators shall ensure the traceability of messages from the point of origin to the point of destination. 

 According to Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal, spam has become a menace for its customers. It is believed that the entire industry needs to work together to resolve this problem comprehensively... (and) to shield our customers from the continuous onslaught of intrusive and unwanted communications. The Vodafone Idea announced that it will launch soon a URL whitelisting platform, stating, "Vi is participating actively on the topic along with the TRAI, COAI, and other relevant groups.". 

Airtel's data scientists are using a proprietary algorithm to identify and classify calls and SMSs as 'suspected SPAM' through the AI-powered solution developed in-house by Airtel's data scientists. A network powered by artificial intelligence analyzes, in real-time, several parameters including the usage patterns of the caller or sender, the frequency of calls and SMS, and the duration of the calls, among other factors. 

As a result of comparing the information you provide with this information with known spam patterns, the system can flag suspicious calls and SMSs. Further, Airtel has developed a system that notifies customers when malicious links are sent via SMS. To achieve this, Airtel has built a centralized database of blacklisted URLs, and every SMS is scanned in real-time by an AI algorithm to alert users in order not to click on those links accidentally.
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TRAI
Spam Calls Technology Telecom TRAI

Combating Telecom Fraud: Trai and DoT’s Joint Effort Against Spam Calls

Combating Telecom Fraud: Trai and DoT’s Joint Effort Against Fraudulent Connections

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the Department of Telecom (DoT) have jointly disconnected over 1 crore mobile connections. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to curb spam calls, reduce cybercrime, and improve the overall telecom experience for users in India. 

According to PTI, the official statement said “To date, more than 1 crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi. Further, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets have been blocked for involvement in cybercrime /financial frauds.”

The Growing Menace of Telecom Fraud

Telecom fraud has been a persistent issue in India, with millions of users receiving unsolicited calls and messages daily. These spam calls are not only a nuisance but also pose significant security risks. Fraudsters often use these calls to deceive individuals into sharing personal information, leading to financial losses and identity theft.

To address this growing challenge, Trai and DoT have taken a proactive approach by identifying and disconnecting mobile connections that are suspected of being used for fraudulent activities. This massive disconnection drive is a testament to the authorities’ commitment to safeguarding consumers and maintaining the integrity of the telecom network.

The Disconnection 

The joint effort by Trai and DoT involved a meticulous process of identifying suspicious mobile connections. This was achieved through advanced data analytics and collaboration with telecom service providers. The authorities focused on connections that exhibited unusual patterns, such as high volumes of outgoing calls or messages, which are typical indicators of spam and fraud.

In addition to disconnecting over 1 crore mobile connections, the authorities also blocked 2.27 lakh mobile handsets that were found to be involved in cybercrime and financial fraud. This dual approach of targeting both the connections and the devices used for fraudulent activities ensures a comprehensive crackdown on telecom fraud.

Enhancing Consumer Protection

“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 and unverified SMS headers and 12 Lakh content templates are blocked,” another statement read.

One of the primary objectives of this initiative is to enhance consumer protection. By disconnecting fraudulent connections, Trai and DoT aim to reduce the number of spam calls and messages that consumers receive. This not only improves the user experience but also helps in building trust in the telecom sector.

Moreover, blocking mobile handsets involved in cybercrime is a crucial step in preventing further misuse. Fraudsters often use these handsets to carry out their activities, and blocking them disrupts their operations. This measure also sends a strong message to those involved in such activities that the authorities are vigilant and will take stringent actions against them.

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TRAI
Fraud Calls Mobile Security SIM SIM swap Spam Call telecommunications TRAI

TRAI Updates Regulations to Prevent SIM Swap Fraud in Telecom Porting

 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently announced updated regulations aimed at combating SIM swap fraud in the telecom sector. According to the new regulations, telecom subscribers will be prohibited from porting out of their current network provider if they have recently "swapped" their SIM card due to loss or damage within the past seven days. 

This amendment is intended to prevent fraudulent activities by disallowing the issuance of a "unique porting code" (UPC), which is the initial step in changing providers using mobile number portability. 

The TRAI highlighted that this measure is part of its broader efforts to address concerns related to fraudulent and spam calls, which have been on the rise in recent years. In addition to SIM swap fraud, spam calls and messages have become a significant nuisance for telecom subscribers, leading to increased efforts by regulatory authorities to combat such activities. 

Previous anti-spam measures undertaken by TRAI include the establishment of a do-not-disturb registry, the release of an app for filing complaints against telemarketers, and the enforcement of regulations on transactional SMS messages by businesses. 

However, despite these efforts, fraudulent activities continue to pose challenges for both regulators and consumers. In addition to the prohibition on porting after SIM card swapping, TRAI has recommended to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) the implementation of a feature that would display the legally registered name of every caller on recipients' handsets. This proposal aims to enhance transparency and enable recipients to identify the origin of incoming calls more accurately. 

However, the proposal has faced criticism on privacy grounds, with concerns raised about the potential misuse of caller identification information. To further address concerns related to fraudulent communication, the DoT has introduced its own portal called Chakshu for reporting suspected fraud communication. This platform allows users to report instances of suspected fraud, helping regulatory authorities to track and investigate fraudulent activities more effectively. 

Furthermore, the TRAI is considering a suggestion from the DoT regarding the verification of subscriber identity during the porting process. Currently, porting requires only the possession of an unblocked SIM, with know-your-customer (KYC) processes conducted anew. This policy has implications for minors and other dependents whose SIMs may not be registered in their names. 

The suggestion to double-check KYC during porting will be examined separately by TRAI. Overall, TRAI's efforts to strengthen regulations in the telecom sector aim to enhance security and protect consumers from fraudulent activities such as SIM swap fraud. By implementing measures to prevent unauthorized porting and enhancing transparency in caller identification, TRAI seeks to safeguard the interests of telecom subscribers in India. However, as fraudsters continue to evolve their tactics, regulatory authorities will need to remain vigilant and adapt their strategies accordingly to stay ahead of emerging threats.
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TRAI
OTP Issues Spam Messages Technology TRAI

After OTP Issues,TRAI Suspends New SMS Rules For 7 Days

 

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has temporarily suspended its new rules for curbing spam messages, following major disruptions in SMS and OTP deliveries for banking, payment, and other transactions.

In a statement on Tuesday, TRAI noted that the move to suspend the new norms would enable the principal entities to register the template of SMS so that no inconvenience is faced by the customers. Even though telcos executed the scrubbing norms, some companies did not adopt them, leading to text messages getting dropped and transaction failures. 

Telecom operators, meanwhile, said several companies and government bodies faced glitches as they did not register their content template until 7th March despite multiple reminders.

“TSPs (telecom service providers) are following Trai regulations and have activated the due process of content scrubbing to address the issue of unsolicited commercial communication. TSPs have sent various communications to the principal entities to register their content template with TSPs before 7 March,” S.P. Kochhar, director general, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) stated.

Millions of mobile phone users were facing disruption in receiving OTP after telecom firms on Monday initiated the execution of Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), impacting a host of OTP services including banking, E-commerce, and Aadhar. The new Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) was in place to clamp down on spam messages by making verification of every SMS mandatory with a registered template. 

However, the DLT in place disrupted the existing system in place to deliver OTPs. Services like Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhar services, and mainly the banking services faced major authentication issues on Tuesday. Many customers who tried to check their bank balance, could not log in to their mobile wallets, as the servers were down. According to sources, at least 40% of one billion daily average commercial messages were not delivered to respective customers.
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