TRAI proposes use of blockchain technology to curb spam calls, texts

May 30, 2018

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its draft Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 has proposed use of blockchain technology to check menace of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) or spam calls and messages. This will be for first time, any country will deploy blockchain technology to check unwanted calls.

Key Facts

The blockchain technology based norms to check menace of UCC will record all communication between subscribers and entities, capturing customer consent for information and authorised telemarketing agencies. It will ensure two things, non- repudiative and confidentiality.
It will be safeguarding personal information of the consumers as well as for better check on unsolicited commercial calls. Only those authorised to access details will be able to access subscriber details and only when they need to deliver service.
The draft proposes to check misuse of repeated UCC being made even to those subscribers who have given consent. The subscriber will be now able to revoke consent given to entities through TRAI app and other mechanism that will be provided under regulation.

Benefits

Using blockchain technology, all information can be recorded and more options can be given to customers regarding commercial communications. The telemarketers will not have access to database of telecom customers and they can only reach out to those, who have opted to receive communication. Moreover, any spammer who uses normal 10-digit number to communicate with people can be tracked immediately after few people report to TRAI as data can be matched.