Starting December 1, 2024, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will implement its new traceability guidelines to strengthen consumer protection against spam and fraudulent messages.

Starting December 1, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will implement its new traceability guidelines.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will enforce its new traceability guidelines starting December 1, 2024. This move aims to bolster consumer protection against spam and fraudulent messages, but it has also raised concerns about potential delays in critical communication like One-Time Passwords (OTPs).

Here’s what you need to know:

WHAT ARE TRAI’S TRACEABILITY GUIDELINES?

The traceability guidelines mandate telecom operators and messaging service providers to verify the origin and authenticity of each message.

This is part of the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) framework, which was introduced to combat spam and ensure message traceability.

Under this system, businesses must register their headers (sender IDs) and templates with telecom providers.

Any message not matching the pre-registered format or sent from unregistered headers will be flagged or blocked.

WHAT DID TRAI SAY?

TRAI, in a recent post on X, said message traceability guidelines would not cause any delays in OTP delivery.

Addressing the misinformation stemming from an article by a news organisation that alleged users might face OTP delays under the new rules, TRAI posted on X, “This is factually incorrect. TRAI has mandated the Access Providers to ensure message traceability. It will not delay delivery of any message.”

HOW DO THESE GUIDELINES IMPACT OTP DELIVERY?

OTPs are crucial for digital transactions, authentication, and secure logins. With the new rules, service providers must ensure OTP messages comply with the registered templates and headers.

POTENTIAL FOR DELAYS

• Initial adjustment phase: Businesses transitioning to the DLT framework or updating templates may face delays in message processing.

• Verification overhead: Every OTP will now undergo a verification process for compliance, which could marginally increase delivery time, especially during peak periods.

WHY YOU MAY BE IN THE CLEAR

• Most established businesses have registered their headers and templates during earlier DLT implementation phases.

• Telecom operators claim to have optimised the system for time-sensitive messages like OTPs, ensuring minimal disruption.

HOW TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE

1. Update your contact information: Ensure your mobile number is correctly linked to all your services.

2. Enable app-based authentication: Where possible, use authenticator apps as a backup for OTP-based logins.

3. Be patient: Temporary delays, if any, are expected to stabilise as businesses and telecom operators adjust to the new norms.

A STEP TOWARDS SECURE MESSAGING

While initial hiccups are possible, TRAI’s traceability guidelines aim to create a safer messaging ecosystem for consumers. The stricter framework will significantly curb spam and fraudulent messages, which have long been a menace.

As businesses adapt to these changes, your OTPs might take a second longer to arrive. But in the long run, the increased security will be worth the wait.