TRAI strengthens consumer protection with amendments to TCCCPR- 2018
In order to further strengthen consumer protection against Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018. The revised regulations aim to deal with evolving methods of misuse of telecom resource and promote a more transparent commercial communication ecosystem for consumers.
Since its implementation, TCCCPR-2018 has made breakthrough use of technology for spam control through blockchain-based regulatory framework. Despite the robust measures in place, spammers have evolved their tactics, necessitating further regulatory enhancements to safeguard consumer interests. Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper (CP) on the Review of the TCCCPR 2018 on August 28, 2024 to seek stakeholders' views on key regulatory amendments needed to enhance consumer protection and curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC). The consultation focused on several vital issues, including redefining commercial communication categories, strengthening consumer complaint redressal mechanisms, tightening the threshold norms for action against UCC, bringing in higher accountability of senders and telemarketers, curbing the misuse of 10-digit numbers for telemarketing, implementing stricter measures against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs), etc.
So, the amendments introduced by the TRAI were built upon stakeholder feedback and extensive internal deliberations to reinforce consumer rights and prevent misuse of telecom resources while at the same time aiming that the legitimate commercial communication occur through registered entities, based on the preference and consent of the customers, thereby, balancing the interests of consumers with the need for supporting legitimate economic activities in the country. The revised regulations will enable TRAI in safeguarding consumer interests while promoting a more secure and trusted digital communication environment. All stakeholders, including businesses and telecom operators, are advised to align their systems with the amended framework to ensure seamless implementation.
