Spams

Sanchar Saathi mandate gone, focus must shift to solutions to fight spam

Facing political heat and tech giant resistance, DoT reverses app mandate; cybersecurity solution needs broader stakeholder consultation

What is Sanchar Saathi app and why govt wants it on every mobile phone?

The government mandated all manufacturers to ensure that the government's Sanchar Saathi mobile application is pre-installed on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India

Trai directs financial entities to use '1600' number series from 2026

Trai has ordered BFSI firms to move service and transaction calls to the 1600 series from 2026 to reduce spam, financial fraud, and rising digital-arrest scams

Telcos start trials for CNAP feature in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh

The feature is being introduced to help curb spam, fraud, and scam calls, as well as reduce incidents of impersonation where callers pretend to represent other people or organisations

iOS 26: Apple to curb spam calls and messages on iPhones with these tools

Apple to roll out iOS 26 with call screening, hold assist, and smarter SMS filters to reduce spam and improve phone and messaging experiences on iPhones by year-end

Fight scams and spam, report fraudulent messages to govt's Chakshu website

Platform allows users to flag potential cyber fraud and helps authorities take action against cybercriminals

Gmail's new 'Manage Subscriptions' feature brings one-click unsubscribe

Google introduces a "Manage Subscriptions" feature in Gmail, letting users easily view and unsubscribe from promotional emails in one centralised place

iOS 26 to bring spam filter for iMessage to silence unwanted texts: Report

iOS 26 will introduce a spam filtering feature in iMessage to detect and silence unwanted texts, organising them into a separate section and keeping the main inbox clutter-free

Airtel urges RBI, NPCI and banks to collaborate on digital fraud fight

Bharti Airtel seeks a joint database of fraudulent financial domains and proposes awareness campaigns to strengthen India's fight against digital scams and fraudsters

Airtel launches AI tool to block scam websites in real time: How it works

Bharti Airtel's AI-powered platform will block scam websites in real time across digital channels, offering automatic protection to mobile and broadband users

Google Messages rolls out 'Unsubscribe' option to curb SMS and RCS spam

To reduce unwanted messages and spam, the Unsubscribe option will help users report spam senders and maintain a cleaner inbox

A level playing field: Tackling spam calls needs collective action

In the past, Trai had come up with many regulations to curb unsolicited calls and messages but they have largely remained ineffective

Telecom operators hit back at Trai's latest spam-control regulations

Say tougher telemarketers, OTT communication platforms need to be regulated

Email cyberattacks rose by 197% during second half of 2024: Report

Cyberattacks on managed service providers (MSPs) also saw an increase, with phishing being the most commonly used method to infiltrate such networks

Consumer forum bans persistent loan offers, unsolicited calls by firms

The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has prohibited a finance company from repeatedly harassing a Kochi resident with unsolicited loan offers over the phone. Nithin Ramakrishnan, a resident of Panampilly Nagar in Kochi, filed a complaint with the panel after enduring continuous and intrusive calls from Bajaj Finserv that disrupted his peace of mind. According to the petitioner, despite numerous requests to stop, Bajaj Finserv and its subsidiaries continued making unsolicited calls, causing significant inconvenience. Even after the complaint was filed on March 14, 2023, the company persisted, calling him three to four times daily from different numbers, particularly during work hours. The complainant argued that such actions infringed on his right to privacy and a peaceful life. Despite assurances to include his number on their Do Not Disturb (DND) list, the company failed to address the issue and continued its intrusive behaviour. The Commission found that

No disruption on Day 1 of mandatory message traceability: Trai officials

90% of businesses accounting for the majority of commercial traffic have registered, telcos say

Trai's new message norms: Your OTPs safe, but spam may have a hard time

Trai's new message traceability norms go live from Dec 11 and aim to protect users by ensuring OTPs and essential messages are delivered seamlessly, while tackling spam and fraudulent communication

Airtel's AI-powered spam filter catches 8 bn calls and 0.8 bn SMS

Up to 6 per cent of all calls, 2 per cent of SMS noted as spam on the Airtel network

AI-powered solution helped block 8 bn spam calls, 0.8 bn SMSes: Airtel

Delhi has seen the highest number of spam calls, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh. Most spam calls originated in Delhi, with Mumbai and Karnataka next

Telcos call for prompt notification of guidelines to curb spam calls

Draft norms had called for tracing and taking action against spam sources