India is taking a strong stance against cybercrime. In a joint effort to curb fraudulent activities and protect citizens, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecom have taken decisive action, blocking 2.27 lakh mobile handsets and disconnecting over 1 crore mobile connections suspected of involvement in scams. This move reflects a broader strategy to combat spam calls, financial fraud, and other cyber threats.
The crackdown is being spearheaded by the Sancharsaathi platform, a tool designed to empower citizens to report suspicious calls and messages. With the help of Sancharsaathi, authorities have successfully disconnected over 1 crore fraudulent mobile connections. To further bolster these efforts, TRAI has issued instructions to telecom operators to disconnect and blacklist entities engaged in bulk spamming activities, including robocalls and pre-recorded messages. In a recent fortnight, over 3.5 lakh such numbers have been disconnected, and 50 entities have been blacklisted.
Additionally, TRAI has implemented revised regulations and service quality rules, effective from October 1. These new rules aim to enhance the monitoring of mobile service quality by transitioning from a quarterly monitoring system to a monthly monitoring system, starting from April 1, 2024.
The government’s commitment to cybersecurity is further demonstrated by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). I4C has taken several steps to create a secure cyberspace in India, and has recently partnered with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for a campaign aimed at building a ‘Cyber-Secure Bharat.’
TRAI has also taken proactive measures to address the issue of unregistered telemarketers. They have issued consultation papers outlining provisions for the immediate suspension of services for telemarketers who receive a pre-defined threshold number of complaints. The agency is also exploring measures to proactively detect and act against suspected spammers.
These comprehensive efforts by the government and regulatory bodies are a testament to their commitment to safeguarding citizens from cyber threats and creating a more secure digital environment for all.
