TRAI’s Crackdown on Spam Callers: Over 2.75 Lakh Mobile Numbers Disconnected, 50 Entities Blacklisted

New Delhi, September 03, 2024: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has tightened its noose around the increasing menace of spam calls and messages in India. It has implemented stringent measures against unregistered telemarketing companies. On Tuesday, TRAI announced that over 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and other telecom resources have been disconnected, and more than 50 entities have been blacklisted as part of this crackdown.

TRAI’s Crackdown on Spam Callers

There was a steep rise in the number of complaints against spam calls and messages. In the first of 2024 alone, over 7.9 lakh complaints were received against Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs). To curb this, TRAI issued strict directions on August 13, 2024, asking all telecom service providers to block promotional voice calls from unregistered telemarketers using SIP, PRI, or other telecom resources.

• Mobile Numbers Disconnected: Over 2.75 lakh SIP DID/mobile numbers/telecom resources have been disconnected to curb spamming.
• Entities Blacklisted: More than 50 entities found misusing telecom resources have been blacklisted.

Check the press release from TRAI:

Earlier Reported | Relief from spam calls and messages in sight as TRAI gives deadline to telecom operators to crackdown on spammers

Cleaner Telecom Ecosystem

TRAI’s Crackdown on Spam Callers intends to create a safer and more efficient telecommunications ecosystem by reducing spam calls and messages, thus providing much-needed relief to customers by protecting them from the highly-intrusive spam.

In addition to bulk blacklisting and disconnections, TRAI has warned that any further misuse of telecom resources by unregistered telemarketers will result in severe consequences, including a ban on all telecom resources for up to two years.

Future Actions to Combat Spam

TRAI has introduced new rules for telecom providers. A key directive includes the whitelisting of URLs, APKs, and OTT links, with telecom providers given a one-month grace period to comply. Only the whitelisted resources will be allowed to reach customers’ mobile devices, protecting them from spam and online frauds. TRAI is considering imposing higher tariffs for phone calls and text messages sent from ten-digit mobile numbers if they exceed a certain daily limit. This measure is designed to target potential spam callers who misuse normal SMS services to send spam messages and to scam customers with malicious APKs and URLs.

Noncompliance Penalties: Content templates that are improperly registered will be blacklisted, and sending parties may face service suspensions for up to a month if violations are repeated.

Compliance Reports: All access providers are required to submit an updated status report within 15 days of the directive, followed by a compliance report within 30 days.

All these measures should show sizeable reduction in spam calls and messages, making the telecom ecosystem in our country cleaner and safer.