Government Initiatives: The Fight Against Spam Calls and Caller ID Spoofing
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Are you tired of receiving endless spam calls and constantly wondering who that unknown caller might be? Well, relief may be on the horizon for you.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority in India, or TRAI, is actively pursuing multiple initiatives and measures to combat this issue.
In this blog, we will discuss some of these initiatives in detail. Let's begin!
Initiatives Against Spam Calls and Caller ID Spoofing
Government intervention and cooperation are needed to raise awareness, take and implement prevention measures. The Indian government has established several rules to stop spam calls and fake caller IDs.
The TRAI is drafting a consultation paper proposing a mechanism that would enable phones to displaythe caller's name, even if the number is not saved in your contacts.
This feature would utilise the Know Your Customer (KYC) data collected by telecom operators duringSIM card registration. With this development, you might finally be able to avoid those peskytelemarketers and potential scams.
The TRAI aims to create a system where your phone can show the name of the person calling, even iftheir number isn't saved in your phone. They'll get the name from your info when you get a new SIMcard. They have also developed a National Do-Not-Call (NDNC) filter to combat spam calls.
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National Do-Not-Call (NDNC) Registries
NDNC, now also known as National Customer Preference Register (NCPR), are registries that aim to reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls by providing a centralized platform for individuals to express their privacy preferences DNC lists can help to keep you safe from scams by blocking spam calls. You can sign up for this DNCservice from your mobile number. Simply, send "START" to 1909, and follow the steps on the received texts.
Legal Measures:
The government is combating spam calls and caller ID spoofing by enforcing laws and regulations, imposing penalties, and taking strict actions against violators. The TRAI issues notices and fines to non-compliant entities disconnects phone numbers and blacklists unregistered telemarketers. These measures aim to deter and punish those engaging in such practices.
Awareness Campaigns:
Governments have been proactively combating spam calls and caller ID spoofing by raising public awareness and educating consumers. In India, TRAI's "Be Smart Be Safe" campaign and the DND 2.0 app inform consumers about regulations and tips on avoiding spam calls. TRAI also provides consumer resources on their website and social media.
Spam calls and caller ID spoofing are a rising problem not only in India but globally. International cooperation is equally vital to share information, develop standards, and raise awareness.
Recently, the Indian government announced that they will send notice to Whatsapp regarding the increasing nuisance of international spam calls via their platform.
Governments around the globe are putting their thinking caps on and investing big bucks to put an end to spam and fraud calls. Many countries, like India and the US, have established rules to stop spam calls and fake caller IDs.
Technological Methods:
The TRAI is utilising advanced blockchain technology to regulate incoming calls and combat spam while embracing AI and machine learning to further enhance its efforts.
Government and Telecom Companies: Joint Effort
Government entities and phone companies are joining hands to stop annoying spam calls and fake caller IDs. TRAI initiated the plan to implement new rules that require all telecom organizations to adopt AI filters for their calling and SMS services. This is a significant step taken by the government to tackle the issue of fraudulent calls.
In February 2023, TRAI and telecom companies like Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea came together to discuss the issue of the Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) detection system.
The TRAI announced how UCC is a growing menace and reinforced that telecom companies need to come up with an integrated system for curbing fraud calls and texts. They further asked phone companies to halt sending promotional calls on 10-digit mobile numbers.
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Be Aware and Take Preventive Measures
Governments are tackling these issues with new rules, collaborations with telecom companies, public awareness, and innovative research.
However, the rising number of spam calls requires measures of personal prevention. Apart from staying vigilant, one can leverage technologies like a virtual number provider in India, like Doosra, for avoiding spam and telemarketing calls.
Doosra is a virtual number service that acts like a call blocker. Calls to your Doosra number are automatically blocked and go to voicemail. The whitelist feature allows specific contacts to call your Doosra number with your permission.
Join the efforts of the government in protecting your privacy by staying aware and adopting prevention measures.
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