Airtel Urges TRAI to Regulate WhatsApp and Other OTT Platforms to Combat Spam: Report
[Breaking News]
In a recent move, Bharti Airtel has urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to bring over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms, including WhatsApp and Telegram, under regulatory framework to curb increasing spam and financial fraud. This move aims to address the growing concern of hoax calls, SMS, and other fraudulent activities on these platforms.
Airtel’s Push for OTT Regulation
In a letter to TRAI, Airtel’s Vice-Chairman and MD, Gopal Vittal, proposed extending the digital consent acquisition (DCA) framework to OTT platforms, enforcing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, and integrating them into a centralised spam blacklist. Vittal stressed that regulatory efforts have significantly reduced spam and unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) over SMS and voice calls, but fraudsters are increasingly shifting to OTT platforms, which currently operate with minimal oversight.
TRAI’s Latest Spam-Control Measures
Private telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have opposed TRAI’s latest spam-control measures, arguing that they overlook critical concerns, particularly the exclusion of OTT platforms from regulation. During the open house consultation, stakeholders underscored the need for regulatory oversight on OTT communication services, warning that fraudsters exploit the regulatory gap, heightening risks of phishing, fraud, and security breaches.
The Fine Print
The revised framework proposes a penalty structure for non-compliance, with fines starting from ₹2 lakh for the first violation, rising to ₹5 lakh for a second offence, and ₹10 lakh for subsequent breaches. Repeated non-compliance could even lead to service suspensions.
TRAI’s Response
TRAI officials clarified that OTT platforms fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which has been informed of these concerns.
KYC, DCA Framework, and Global Standards
Vittal emphasized the need for KYC verification on OTT platforms to enhance user accountability and traceability. He also called for global standards to combat calling line identification (CLI) spoofing, a common tactic in telecom fraud. Furthermore, Airtel urged TRAI to push for a comprehensive regulatory framework that includes licensing requirements and strict penalties for principal entities (PEs) and telemarketers (TMs).
The Road Ahead
As the debate around OTT regulation intensifies, it remains to be seen how TRAI will respond to Airtel’s proposal. One thing is certain, however – the need to address the growing menace of spam and financial fraud on OTT platforms is pressing. Only time will tell if TRAI will heed Airtel’s call to regulate OTT platforms and safeguard consumers from the threats they pose.
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