Airtel has raised concerns about the growing issue of spam and online fraud on over-the-top (OTT) platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Messages, Signal, and others. In a letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the telecom giant has called for stricter regulations to address the problem. According to The Economic Times, Airtel warned that spammers are shifting to these platforms, which lack regulatory oversight, posing a “significant risk” to users.

The letter, dated November 8, points out that spam and fraud are no longer confined to SMS and voice communication. Airtel explained, “While telecom operators have tightened controls over commercial SMS and voice communication, there is a significant risk that spam will shift to OTT channels, which are not subject to any regulatory oversight, including TRAI’s Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) Regulation.”

Airtel emphasised the need for immediate action to curb spam on OTT platforms, which are increasingly used for marketing and business communication. The lack of regulations for these platforms creates a gap that spammers can exploit.

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Airtel’s suggestions to tackle spam

In the letter, Airtel’s chief regulatory officer, Rahul Vatts, proposed several measures to address the issue. He suggested that telecom companies could assist in implementing a standardised KYC process for OTT platforms. This would make it easier to identify and block spammers.

Additionally, Airtel recommended using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) scrubbing for messages sent through OTT platforms. DLT scrubbing is already used to regulate SMS spam and ensure messages comply with existing rules.

To enhance user control, Airtel urged TRAI to implement a unified Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) system. This system would let users manage their consent for promotional messages across both telecom and OTT platforms, preventing businesses from bypassing consent rules.

Airtel also highlighted the limited role telecom operators currently have in controlling spam on internet-based messaging platforms. “This gap allows spammers/scammers to exploit these channels. There is also a lack of transparency on enterprises that violate UCC Regulations, unlike telco channels where users have an option to escalate complaints to government channels,” Airtel stated.

By regulating OTT platforms, Airtel believes TRAI can help ensure user safety and maintain transparency across digital communication channels.