The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is planning to implement new rules to deal with unwanted calls and messages from May 2023. For this, they brought a new AI filter. According to media reports, from now on Indian telecom companies need to include AI filters in their systems to detect and block spam calls and messages.
The move is aimed at addressing the growing 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 TRAI‘s deadline. Airtel has already announced the provision of AI filters for its customers, while Jio is preparing to set up filters for fake calls and messages.
TRAI to introduce Caller ID Feature too
With AI filters, the regulatory authority has restricted promotion calls to 10-digit numbers. Apart from this, TRAI plans to introduce a caller ID feature that will show the caller’s name and photo on the screen at the time of receiving the call. However, telecom companies are cautious about privacy issues and are in discussions with Truecaller regarding the implementation of the caller ID feature.
Earlier this year, COAI, an industry body, opposed the mandatory implementation of Calling Name Representation (CNAP) and requested to make it optional for telecom operators. The association filed a technical, confidentiality and regulatory report with TRAI citing concerns regarding the costs involved.
How do AI Filters help to get rid of spam calls & messages?
The implementation of AI filters will help smartphone users avoid fake and promotional calls that take up unnecessary space and distract them. Telecom giants like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have announced their plans to launch an Artificial Intelligence filter service.
However, there is no information about how long this will happen. TRAI has been trying to combat fake calls and messages for some time now as it is a common way to cheat mobile users and withdraw money from their accounts, hack their data and much more.
