With telecom operators tightening measures against spam and fraudulent communications, spammers are increasingly shifting to over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as Meta-owned WhatsApp, according to the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). TelecomTalk previously reported on UCC and spam silently shifting to RCS and OTT platforms, with not many options available to customers.
Spam/UCC: Spam, UCC Messages Find Their Way to Users Through RCS and OTT Apps?
Spam Shifting to OTT Platforms
"Telecom service providers (TSP) networks have become very stringent and are not permitting spam due to government and their own measures. OTT players, on the contrary, are doing nothing," said SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI, which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, to ETTelecom.
COAI and GSMA Call for Regulatory Parity
The industry body, along with the global mobile association GSMA, has been pushing for OTT players to be brought under a regulatory framework, citing the growing misuse of such platforms for digital fraud, including banking scams and so-called 'digital arrests' facilitated through screen-sharing features.
Studies suggest that nearly 85 percent of the data over the telecommunications network is being used for multiple OTT applications. Yet, these platforms remain outside the purview of current telecom regulations, according to the report.
Also Read: COAI Seeks Cybersecurity Parity Between Telcos and OTT Platforms: Report
Airtel AI-Powered Spam Detection Tool
Airtel recently launched an AI-based spam detection tool that alerts users about potential scam calls. Citing Bharti Airtel's instance, he reportedly said that the telco, which has come out with an AI-based app, has been received very well, and added that Airtel would probably come out with a better version soon.
"Jio is also doing a lot of work on this. They cannot be left behind. The moment they are left behind, they lose competition," Kochhar added, as per the report.
Following increased network-level monitoring by telcos, instances of spam and fraud via traditional channels have declined, but there has been a noticeable uptick in such activities on OTT platforms.
Also Read: Airtel Urges TRAI to Regulate WhatsApp and Other OTT Platforms to Combat Spam: Report
TRAI Recommends Unified UCC Framework
Last month, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in consultation with the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCOR), recommended a unified strategy to curb unsolicited commercial communications (UCC) across both telecom and OTT platforms.
COAI has also urged that mobile apps be brought under the country’s cybersecurity laws to ensure a level playing field and better consumer protection.
