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Calls from 1600 number series cannot be blocked as spam, India's TRAI clarifies

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • India's Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) clarified that calls from the 1600 number series, used by government and regulated entities, cannot be blocked as spam by apps.
  • Promotional calls from the 140 number series, used by telemarketers, can only be blocked through TRAI's Do Not Disturb (DND) registry, not by third-party apps.
  • This clarification comes amid concerns raised by caller ID apps like Truecaller, which reported a significant increase in spam calls from these series.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a clarification stating that phone calls originating from the 1600 number series cannot be blocked as spam by any application. This series is designated for communications from regulated entities and the government to citizens. TRAI emphasized that the primary goal of assigning the 1600 series is to ensure these important communications are trustworthy for the public.

Under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulation (TCCCPR), any tagging, blocking or filtering of the calls originating from 1600 series numbers is not permitted.

— TRAIClarifying the inability of apps to block calls from the 1600 number series.

Furthermore, TRAI clarified the regulations surrounding calls from the 140 number series, which are used by registered telemarketers for promotional purposes. While customers have the right to block these calls through the Do Not Disturb (DND) registry, third-party apps are prohibited from tagging or filtering them. TRAI explained that any tagging or filtering by apps could mislead customers who have opted to receive calls from specific sectors via the DND registry.

The key objective of assigning designated series 1600 for important communications is to make such calls trustworthy for the citizens.

— TRAIExplaining the purpose behind the 1600 number series.

The regulator's statement addresses growing concerns, particularly from caller ID applications like Truecaller. Truecaller's CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, had previously reported a substantial rise in spam calls from both the 140 and 1600 series, noting millions of unanswered calls daily. He highlighted that Truecaller users actively block numerous calls from these series each day, indicating a significant user demand for such blocking capabilities, which TRAI's current regulations do not fully permit for these specific number ranges.

The customers have the right to allow or block promotional calls originating from 140 series numbers from entities of any or all sectors by registering their preference on the Do Not Disturb (DND) registry.

— TRAIDetailing the process for blocking promotional calls from the 140 series.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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