TRAI's new AI spam filters will provide relief from spam calls and messages

• The telecom authority has instructed all organizations and companies to incorporate artificial intelligence spam filters into their smartphone call and messaging services.
• This move aims to protect consumers from fraudulent and harassing activities.

According to media reports, starting today, Indian telecom companies are required to incorporate AI filters in their systems to detect and block spam calls and messages, as per TRAI's new regulations. The move aims to address the increasing problem of spam calls and messages in the country. Telecom giants, including Vodafone, Airtel, Jio, and BSNL, are all working towards implementing these AI filters in their services by the TRAI's deadline. Airtel has already announced the provision of AI filters to their customers, while Jio is gearing up to install filters for fake calls and messages.

Along with the AI filters, the regulatory authority has prohibited promotional calls to 10-digit numbers. Moreover, TRAI plans to introduce a Caller ID feature that would display the name and photo of the caller. However, the telecom companies are cautious about privacy issues and are in discussion with Truecaller regarding the Caller ID feature's implementation.

Earlier this year, COAI, an industry body, opposed the mandatory implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) and requested it to be optional for telecom operators. The association filed a technical, privacy, and regulatory report with TRAI, citing concerns regarding the costs involved.

AI filters to combat fake calls menace

The implementation of AI filters will assist smartphone users in avoiding fake and promotional calls that occupy unnecessary space and cause distractions. Telecom giants, such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, have announced their plans to introduce the AI filter service, though the specific timeline has not been disclosed. It is expected that the feature will be operational starting today. TRAI has been striving to combat fake calls and messages for a while now, given that they are a common way of duping mobile users and extracting money from their accounts, hacking their data, and more.

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