TRAI directs telecom companies to use AI detect systems to act against spammers

All access providers have been asked to comply with the directions and forward an updated status on actions taken within thirty days.

In a statement on the issue of direction for deploying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-based UCC (Unsolicited Commercial Communication) Detect system, TRAI said the entities who do not get registered with the Access Providers and use 10 digits mobile numbers for sending commercial communications through messages or calls are called Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs).

TRAI has been taking various steps to curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) which is a major source of inconvenience to the public, the release said.

While the measures have resulted in reduction in complaints against Registered Telemarketers (RTMs), from UCC from Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs) is still continuing.

At times these UTMs through messages having fraudulent links and telephone numbers trap the customers into sharing of their critical information causing financial loss to the customers.

To detect, identify and act against all such Unregistered Telemarketers (UTMs), the TRAI has been insisting Access Service Providers to implement UCC_Detect System with requisite functionalities within the framework of TRAI’s Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018).

“Access Service providers have implemented such detect system as per their suitability and feasibility. However, since the UTMs are continuously evolving new techniques to send unsolicited communications and the current UCC detect systems deployed by the Access Service providers are not fully capable to detect such UCC,” the press release added.

Therefore, in order to have uniformity of UCC_ Detect System implementations, TRAI has directed all Access Providers to deploy Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning based UCC_Detect system capable of constantly evolving to deal with new signatures, new patterns and new techniques used by UTMs, he said.

The companies providers have also been directed to share intelligence with other Access Providers using the DLT platform.

Access Providers have further been directed to ensure that such UCC_Detect System shall detect senders who are sending Unsolicited Commercial Communications in bulk and not complying with the provisions of the regulations.