Telecom Service Providers to Use AI/ML To Curb Smishing Attacks

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (“TRAI”) has taken proactive measures to combat unsolicited commercial communications (“UCC”) by directing telecom service providers to implement artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning (“ML”) based tools. Issued on 13^th June 2023 under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018, these directives grant TRAI the authority to guide the industry in preventing unwanted spam communications.

As per the recent directives, all access providers, including telecom operators facilitating calls and messaging services, are now mandated to deploy AI/ML-based ‘UCC Detect Systems’.

These systems are specifically designed to detect, identify, and prevent spam communications by continually evolving to address new signatures, patterns, and techniques employed by unregistered telemarketers. The tools are expected to facilitate the identification of bulk UCC senders, enable reputation-based analysis of message senders, and promote intelligence-sharing among access providers using a distributed ledger technology platform.

Beyond the implementation of advanced filtering mechanisms, access providers are required to take necessary actions against identified UCC and collaborate with law enforcement agencies. These directives are significant in combatting the proliferation of spam messages and showcase the government’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for the benefit of the public.