Telecom regulator TRAI will propose setting up a unified information-your-customer system accessible by all telecom operators to check fraudulent callers and spammers, a top official said on Sunday.
Speaking at the India Mobile Congress, TRAI Chairman PD Vaghela said that it is currently difficult to trace the real culprits involved in fraudulent calls and messages for which the regulator is exploring various mechanisms to address the issue.
“There should be a unified KYC (Know-Your-Customer) system. All telecom operators should be able to use it. We will include this in an advisory, which we will issue on mandatory caller ID display,” Vaghela said.
The chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said spammers have started using another number after blocking their previous number and using proxy servers, and the regulator is working with service providers to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect fraudulent callers and spammers.
He also said that TRAI will consider addressing privacy concerns surrounding people who do not want their number displayed when they call.
The new Telecom Bill provides a one-year jail term for giving false identity to avail telecom services to curb fraud and criminal activities.
The bill proposes to implement KYC for calls and messages sent through internet calling and messaging apps.
In May, it was reported that telecom regulator TRAI will soon start a consultation on creating a mechanism to flash a caller’s KYC-based name on phone screens.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has received a reference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to initiate a consultation.
The consultation in this regard is expected to start in a few months, TRAI chairman PD Vaghela said then.
