Curbing UCC is on top of TRAI’s mind

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is all set to push all telecom companies to stop unsolicited calls.

The watchdog has been conducting a series of meetings with the telcos on the subject. The regulator is pushing them to implement artificial intelligence and machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) techniques and block-chain technology to reduce unsolicited calls. The Authority is looking for ways to use AI/ML-based anti-phishing systems, implementation of RegTech solutions on the DLT platform for promotional voice calls, implementation of digital consent acquisition as well as updates of the ‘regulatory sandbox’ established to detect unwanted text messages and calls.

As part of a multipronged approach to address the problem, TRAI is expected to explore strategies through technical solutions, regulations, directions and close monitoring as well. The Authority would like the telcos to curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) with certain characteristics that should include activity log. TRAI will undertake software-centric security audits, so that no data or information can be downloaded.

In the meetings, where the chairman PD Vaghela has also been present, formulation of a framework for sharing of UCC data detected by access providers on the DLT platform and strict action on principal entities (PEs) and registered tele-marketers for non-compliance has been discussed.

Vaghela had some time back chaired a meeting of the joint committee of regulators (JCOR) to implement UCC detect solutions to counter the menace.

The JCOR, consisting of the TRAI, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities & Exchanges Board of India (Sebi) and the ministry of consumer affairs (MoCA), has been mandated to frame a joint action plan to curb financial fraud using telecom resources.

Back in July 2018, the telecom regulator had issued rules, making it mandatory for all telcos to seek customer consent for receiving UCC from telemarketers. It had also then called for deployment of blockchain or DLT that is used to manage crypto-currencies to ensure telemarketing messages were sent only to subscribers from authorised entities.

CT Bureau