TRAI instructs telcos to use AI/ML to check spam SMS & calls

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has urged telcos to deploy cutting-edge technology solutions based on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AL&ML) to tackle unregistered telemarketers (UTMs) and take action against senders of commercial communications who are not registered.

Why are UTMs still continuing?

According to the statement from TRAI on the issue of direction for deploying AI and ML-based UCC (unsolicited commercial communication) detection systems, TRAI described that unregistered telemarketers (UTMs) are companies that do not register with access providers and use ten-digit mobile numbers to make commercial communications via SMS or calls.

Further, TRAI has also noted that the number of complaints against registered telemarketers (RTMs) has decreased because of TRAI-implemented procedures, but UCC from unregistered telemarketers is still continuing. And sometimes these UTMs trick the clients into providing their crucial information, causing financial loss to the customers, through messages with fake URLs and telephone numbers.

Adoption of the UCC detection system

TRAI has been pressuring access service providers to deploy the ‘UCC Detect System’ with the necessary functionality within the overall context of TRAI's Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations 2018, in order to detect, identify, and take action against all of these unregistered telemarketers.

However, TRAI explained that the UTMs are constantly developing new techniques to send unauthorised communications, and the current UCC detection systems deployed by the access service providers are not fully capable of detecting.

Instructions to follow

In order to ensure uniformity of UCC detect system implementations, all access providers are required to deploy UCC detect systems based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are constantly evolving to deal with new signatures, and new techniques used by unregistered telemarketers.

Additionally, access providers have been instructed to communicate with one another through the DLT platform, which uses distributed ledger technology. All access providers are required to follow the instructions and submit an updated report on any actions taken within 30 days.

As part of this ruling, telcos will be required to use blockchain technology to exchange information about spam calls with other carriers, building a shared database.

Previously, TRAI asked businesses, including banks, insurance providers, financial institutions, and other organisations, to re-verify their SMS content templates with the telecoms within two weeks last month. Additionally, in the next 45 days, telecom providers were urged to avoid using message templates improperly for business communications.