TRAI Continuously taking strict steps to crack down on fake SMS and calls. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued orders to telecom companies like Airtel, Vi, Jio and BSNL some time ago and gave an ultimatum of 30 days to stop such fake SMS and calls. At the same time, now in this episode, the regulator has also issued instructions for banks and financial institutions. On Thursday, TRAI asked banks and financial institutions to complete the process of verification of message headers and content template at the earliest.
Keeping in view the security of the users, TRAI has now given an ultimatum to the banks and financial institutions to crack down on fake SMS. TRAI asked banks and financial institutions to complete the process of verification of message headers and content template at the earliest. TRAI has said that it will review it in the next two weeks and issue new orders in this regard if needed.
Let us tell you, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, trading companies and business companies send commercial messages to telecom companies through SMS. These companies are known as Principal Entities (PEs).
Talking about the regulatory framework, a registered header is assigned to these companies for any type of commercial communication (SMS). Whereas, companies require a content template, which is registered with the telecom company. These are needed for commercial communication through SMS, failing which such SMS are not allowed to be sent to customers.
TRAI has observed that some PEs register a large number of headers and content templates. Some of these templates are misused by some telemarketing companies. To prevent similar fake SMS, TRAI first issued orders to telecom companies and now instructed banks and financial institutions to verify headers and templates.
TRAI has been taking action for a long time
TRAI has been working for a long time to stop this fake call and SMS. Sometime back, TRAI has asked telecom companies to re-verify the template of telemarketing messages as well as bring AI based system to curb fake calls and messages. Telecom companies Airtel and Jio are currently testing their new calls and message filters, while Vodafone-Idea is also preparing for the same.
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