TRAI Enforces AI-Driven Filters to Combat Spam Calls and Messages

New Delhi. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has tightened its rules to curb unsolicited commercial communication, introducing harsher penalties for companies and telemarketers that flood users with spam calls and messages.

Under the new framework, all telecom service providers are obliged to install artificial‑intelligence and machine‑learning based screening tools that flag suspicious commercial outreach. The technology is intended to spot abnormal calling patterns and stop repeated abuse of telephone numbers.

Five Numbers in Ten Days Can Trigger Disconnection

If five or more numbers linked to the same spammer are identified within a ten‑day window, the provider may terminate the connection. The offending party can also be placed on a blacklist for up to one year, following the prescribed procedure.

TRAI has additionally imposed a levy of 5 paise per minute on automated calls, creating another deterrent for large‑scale robo‑calling operations.

Misuse of Business Numbers and Templates Will Not Be Ignored

Operators must also act when a registered business number or a pre‑approved message template is found being misused. Should a telemarketer be held responsible, the action can extend to all numbers associated with that telemarketer, potentially resulting in broader blacklisting.

Consumers dissatisfied with a resolution can file an appeal within 15 days. Appeals may be lodged via the DND app, the operator’s own app or portal, or by dialing 1909.

Mandatory Disclosure for Automated Calls

The updated rules cover all automated calling systems—including auto‑dialers, robocalls, and calls that employ pre‑recorded or AI‑generated voices. Such calls must include a prior disclosure to the recipient.

TRAI also clarified that call‑management apps cannot blanket‑block entire commercial series such as 1600 and 1601 merely because of the number range.

The latest provisions aim to reinforce oversight of commercial communication while equipping telecom operators with stronger tools to detect and curb suspected spam activity.