The Chhattisgarh

Tag: spam call

  • Spam Menace: 3K Registered Senders Whitelist Over 70K Links As Per Centre’s Directive |

    New Delhi: More than 3,000 registered senders have whitelisted more than 70,000 URLs, APKs (Android package kit) or OTT (over the top) links as per the government directive to safeguard consumers from unsolicited messages containing malicious links, it was announced on Thursday. 

    In a major step to curb the misuse of URLs (uniform resource locators) in messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had issued a directive on August 20, and then extended it till September 30.

    The new rule, instructing all access providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been whitelisted, is set to be implemented by 1st October 2024.

    To ensure smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs, TRAI advises registered senders to promptly upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of the respective Access Providers.

    “So far, over 3,000 registered senders have complied with this requirement by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. Senders who fail to whitelist their links by the due date will not be able to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links,” said the Ministry of Communications.

    This initiative is designed to foster a transparent and secure communication system.

    “By complying with these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can help in creating a more reliable and safe messaging environment,” said the telecom regulator.

    Whitelisting is a cybersecurity strategy under which only pre-approved or trusted users, entities, or actions are allowed to operate on a system or network. By preventing unauthorised access, whitelisting can greatly reduce the risk of malware infection and cyber intrusion.

    Telecom service providers blocked over 50 entities and disconnected more than 2.75 lakh mobile numbers and telecom resources earlier this month.

    The TRAI has also introduced punitive measures for non-compliance. Content templates registered under the wrong category will be blacklisted, and repeated offenses will lead to a one-month suspension of the sender’s services.

  • Over 1 Crore Fraudulent Mobile Connections Disconnected With Help Of Sanchar Saathi: DoT |

    New Delhi: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has said that till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi.

    “The DoT launched a citizen centric platforms, Sanchar Saathi (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in), to fight cyber fraud, enabling citizens to report suspicious calls & messages. Till date more than one crore fraudulent mobile connections disconnected with the help of Sancharsaathi. Further, 2.27 lakh mobile handsets have been blocked for involvement in cybercrime /financial frauds,” DoT said.

    To curb the menace of spam calls, TRAI has directed telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities using bulk connections for spam calls, including robocalls and pre-recorded calls. 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/ unverified SMS headers and 12 Lakh content templates are blocked.

    In parallel, with an objective of improving the network performance, benchmarks are to be gradually tightened for key network parameters like network availability, call drop rates, packet drop rates, etc. In this regard, TRAI has released its revised regulations, “The Standards of Quality of Service of Access (Wirelines and Wireless) and Broadband (Wireline and Wireless) Service Regulations, 2024 (06 of 2024)’.

    These regulations will come into effect from October 01, 2024 and from 1st April 2025 monthly monitoring of QoS performance of mobile service will be started instead of quarterly basis. 

    The TRAI has also issued consultation papers on provisions of immediate suspension of services of Unregistered Telemarketers on receipt of complaints beyond a pre-defined threshold number, and implementation of proactive detection and action on suspected spammers.

  • Spam Calls: Govt Extends Timeline For Submission Of Feedback By 15 Days |

    New Delhi: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, on Thursday extended the timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024.

    “In view of requests received from various Federations, Associations and other stakeholders to extend timeline for submission of comments/feedback on Draft Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India has decided to extend the timeline by 15 days from the last date of submission i.e. 21.07.2024,” said an official release.

    The comments may now be submitted until 05 August 2024, it added.

    The Department has received various suggestions/comments which are presently under examination. The comments may be submitted by email to js-ca[at]nic[dot]in.

    Central Consumer Protection Authority had issued guidelines to protect consumers from unfair trade practices and violation of their consumer rights through unsolicited and unwarranted business communication in the form of voice calls, SMS, and instant messaging applications including through social media platforms.

    These guidelines, called the Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication, 2024 shall apply to all persons and establishments that makes or causes to make the business communication (Maker); that engages the Maker of such communication;  that would be the intended beneficiary from such communication; and in whose name such communication was made by the Maker. 

    No person or establishment to whom these guidelines are applicable shall engage in any unsolicited or unwarranted business communication initiated in violation of the conditions said the guidelines.