The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed telecom operators to take action against the misuse of telemarketing message templates within 30 days in a bid to curb pesky messages. Trai has observed that some telemarketers are misusing the headers and content templates of enterprises. Unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) is a major inconvenience to the public and impinges on individual privacy. Trai has been taking various steps to curb it, and the latest directive aims to stop the misuse of message templates under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).
The directive by Trai follows complaints from consumers regarding unwanted telemarketing messages. The regulator has been striving to curb the menace of unsolicited communication for a long time, and the TCCCPR-2018 was introduced to address the issue. The regulation requires telemarketers to register with telecom service providers and comply with a number of guidelines, including a requirement to use message templates approved by the service providers. However, Trai has found that some telemarketers have been misusing these templates, which has led to a surge in pesky messages.
Trai’s latest direction requires telecom operators to take strict action against telemarketers who misuse message templates. The directive also requires the operators to ensure that the telemarketers comply with the guidelines set out in the TCCCPR-2018. Trai has said that telecom operators must report any instances of template misuse to the regulator, and the regulator will take strict action against the offenders. Trai has also warned telecom operators that they will be held accountable for any failure to comply with the directive.
The latest directive by Trai is expected to bring relief to consumers who have been harassed by pesky telemarketing messages. Trai has been taking various steps to address the issue of unsolicited communication, including the introduction of a national do-not-disturb registry. The registry allows consumers to opt out of telemarketing messages by registering their numbers with the registry. Trai has also introduced guidelines for telemarketers, which require them to identify themselves and provide an option for consumers to opt out of receiving further messages.
Trai’s latest directive to curb the misuse of telemarketing message templates is a welcome move. The regulator has been taking steps to address the issue of pesky messages for a long time, and the latest directive is a step in the right direction. Telecom operators must comply with the directive and take strict action against telemarketers who misuse message templates. Consumers can also take steps to protect themselves from unwanted messages by registering with the national do-not-disturb registry and exercising their right to opt out of telemarketing messages.
