Starting December 1, significant regulatory changes by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are expected to impact how major telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL manage commercial messages and one-time passwords (OTPs). These new measures, aimed at enhancing message traceability, are part of TRAI’s broader initiative to protect consumers from scams and online fraud.
What Is TRAI’s New Directive?
Initially announced in August, the traceability guidelines require telecom providers to monitor the origins of all commercial messages, including OTPs. This step is critical in curbing rising incidents of cyber fraud, where scammers misuse fake OTPs to trick users into sharing sensitive information or unwittingly granting access to their devices.
The financial consequences of these scams have been severe, prompting TRAI to act decisively.
While telecom companies were initially given an October 31 deadline to implement these measures, they requested more time to ensure compliance. TRAI extended the deadline to November 31, giving operators additional weeks to adapt their systems.
As these rules come into effect, users may experience delays in receiving OTPs, particularly during banking transactions, online bookings, or other activities requiring secure verification. TRAI acknowledges that these short-term inconveniences are necessary to build a more secure digital ecosystem in the long run.