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Truecaller proposes telecom, 3rd party app linkup to combat spam

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Truecaller has requested that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) allow third-party applications to work with telecom companies to combat Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC). Their proposals include easier methods for reporting spam, clearer definitions of international traffic and fraudulent communications, the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions, and the promotion of data sharing to enhance spam detection.

Along with these primary requests, Truecaller also cautions against measures such as differential tariffs, which may harm small businesses. Instead, the spam detection platform urges a consumer-centric, technology-driven approach to build trust and security within India’s telecom ecosystem.

These recommendations were submitted in response to TRAI’s consultation paper on the ‘Review of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR 2018)’.

Truecaller emphasises the importance of integrating third-party applications with expertise to enhance consumer experiences and simplify spam and fraud reporting. TRAI could empower consumers, reduce spam incidents, and streamline complaint handling by creating user-friendly channels for reporting spam.

“Such collaboration would empower users to have greater control over their communication, while also enabling TRAI and service providers to track and address UCC cases more efficiently,” wrote Hariti Chaddha, Manager, Public Affairs at Truecaller.

Truecaller also advocates for clearer definitions within the TCCCPR framework, especially regarding “international traffic” and “fraud calls and SMS.” The company explains that explicit definitions would help combat fraud more effectively by addressing grey routes, which allow international spam traffic to masquerade as domestic, leading to revenue losses and security risks.

By establishing a robust framework for distinguishing international from domestic calls, regulators and telecom operators could monitor and control cross-border fraud.

“A clear definition will enable regulators and telecom operators to identify and block such routes, ensuring that all international traffic is transmitted through licensed and legitimate channels,” explains Chaddha. “Additionally, this definition enhances security, traceability, and fraud protection by making it easier to monitor calls and messages originating from or terminating outside India.”

Trucaller recommended that TRAI establish specific obligations and compliance requirements for Access Providers to tackle fraud calls and SMS.

Truecaller also cautions against an over-reliance on explicit consent for auto-dialer and robocall communications, citing concerns of “consent fatigue” among users. Excessive consent requirements, the company argues, could erode user engagement and diminish the effectiveness of spam prevention. Instead, Truecaller recommends a more flexible opt-out system aligned with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) of 2023.

“It is crucial to strike a balance between protection privacy and overburdening users with consent requests,” explains Truecaller. “Consent requirements under TCCCPR should reference the DPDPA as the primary standard.”

Truecaller also emphasises the importance of data-sharing frameworks to improve fraud detection capabilities across stakeholder channels between telecom providers, regulators, and third-party applications so that the industry can take proactive steps to combat UCC. The company also suggests that telecom providers should share subscriber information under non-discriminatory terms and approach aligned with the European Union’s data-sharing norms.

Truecaller advocates for AI-driven UCC detection systems that use machine learning (ML) and honeypots to effectively identify and block potential UCC sources in real time to combat spam and fraud. Recognising that many access providers may lack the technical capacity to develop these tools independently, Truecaller suggests that TRAI permit the integration of specialised third-party applications to enhance spam detection.

Finally, Truecaller warns of potential downsides of TRAI’s proposals on differential tariffs for SMS and calls beyond certain usage limits. The company argues that imposing such tariffs could disproportionately affect legitimate users in high-use sectors such as healthcare, education, and social services.

TRAI has recently instructed telecom operators to inspect text messages for web addresses and other information and to block them promptly if found. The telecom regulator also rolled out tougher rules to combat spams in India.

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Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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