Trai to Make Call Log and SMS Data Sharing Mandatory in Order to Stop Pesky Calls

Trai has long been in a tussle with the Cupertino based phone manufacturer Apple for including a clause which requires the phone manufacturers to grant the access to call logs, SMS and other related data to the DND app, which will be used to stop pesky calls. In this new turn of event, Trai has made the clause mandatory. In a Corrigendum drafted on May 30, Trai said: “Every access provider shall ensure that all devices registered on its network shall support all permissions required for the functioning of such apps as prescribed in the Regulations 6 (2) (e) and regulations 24 (2).”

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The abovementioned clause 6 in the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 deals with the telcos’ arrangements to facilitate registration of complaints, change in choice of subscribers, mode of filing complaints or registration required to bar pesky calls and SMSes.

In order file, a complaint against pesky call subscribers will have to quote the number, date and time along with the purpose of the call.

The US-based company has been in a tug of war with Trai on the issue for quite some time. Apple has been of the view that providing access to call logs and SMS to the DND app would mean jeopardising public data and privacy. While the industry body here in India is of the thought that the issue should be resolved by the regulator on its part instead of waiting for the phone manufacturer to act.