TRAI has updated telecom rules to protect consumers from spam calls and messages. These changes to the 2018 Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) are made to stop new spam tactics and ensure that you only get the calls and messages you want. The aim is to create a clearer and more customer-friendly telecom system, so you’re better protected from unsolicited commercial messages.

Since TCCCPR-2018 was introduced, blockchain technology has been used to help reduce spam. However, spammers are always finding new ways to bypass these measures. To further protect consumers, TRAI started a consultation process in August 2024 to gather feedback from stakeholders. The new changes aim to clearly define types of commercial messages, improve how complaints are handled, and impose stricter penalties on those who break the rules.

One major change is making it easier to report spam. Consumers no longer need to register their preferences before filing complaints about unwanted calls and messages. Now, if you provide basic details such as the sender's number and the date, your complaint will be accepted. Also, the window to file a complaint has been extended from three days to seven days, and telecom operators are now required to resolve these complaints within five days, replacing the previous 30-day limit.

TRAI now requires all promotional messages to include a simple opt-out option, allowing customers to stop receiving them easily. Message headers will carry clear, standard tags to show if a message is promotional, service-related, transactional, or from the government. Moreover, businesses are not allowed to contact customers who have opted out for at least 90 days, and any consent for ongoing transactions will expire after seven days, helping prevent abuse.

To target repeat offenders, tougher penalties are now in place. For a first offense, violators face a 15-day service suspension, and repeated offenses can lead to a one-year disconnection. Regular 10-digit numbers are banned for telemarketing, and replaced by designated numbers that identify commercial messages.

TRAI has also imposed fines on telecom operators who fail to comply and requires telemarketers to use biometric authentication. Telecom providers must monitor call and SMS patterns to detect spammers and use honeypot numbers to track new spam trends. These new rules aim to enhance consumer protection and ensure responsible commercial communication in India's telecom sector.

Also read: Telecom regulator recommends ending STD codes, landline calls to require full 10-digit dialing