Starting December 10, 2024, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will enforce a new rule called OTP Traceability. This rule will make it easier to trace the source of messages received on mobile phones, helping reduce spam and fraudulent communications.
Why Is This Important?
Currently, it is hard to trace the origin of commercial messages or one-time passwords (OTPs). Scammers often exploit this to send fake messages and deceive people. With the new rule, telecom companies like Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL will use technology to identify where such messages are coming from.
Deadlines and Implementation
TRAI initially planned to enforce this rule on October 31, then extended it to November 30, and finally to December 10 to give telecom providers more time to prepare.
How Will It Help?
- Reducing Spam: Messages from unregistered sources will be blocked.
- Better Identification: Users will be able to distinguish between promotional and genuine messages.
- No Delays in OTPs: TRAI has clarified that this rule will not cause delays in OTP delivery for critical services like banking.
Impact So Far
More than 27,000 organizations have already registered under this system, and the process is being sped up to include more. This new rule aims to make communication safer, more transparent, and reliable for users.
This change marks a big step forward in protecting mobile users from spam and scams.
