New Delhi: In a significant move to curb the rampant misuse of URLs in SMS messages, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a directive requiring all Access Providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been whitelisted. This measure is aimed at safeguarding consumers from unsolicited and potentially harmful messages.
Effective from October 1, 2024, the directive mandates that all Access Providers implement a system to filter and block SMS traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that have not been pre-approved by the sender. This step is expected to significantly reduce the prevalence of spam messages, phishing attempts, and other malicious activities that often exploit the use of URLs in SMS communication.
To ensure a seamless transition and minimize disruptions to legitimate SMS traffic, TRAI has advised registered senders to proactively upload their whitelisted URL/APK/OTT links to the portal of their respective Access Providers. This process will allow authorized senders to continue transmitting messages containing URLs without interruption.
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As of now, over 3,000 registered senders have already complied with the TRAI directive by whitelisting more than 70,000 links. However, senders who fail to meet the deadline will not be permitted to transmit any messages containing URL/APK/OTT links.
TRAI’s initiative is a crucial step towards creating a more secure and transparent communication environment. By implementing these new rules, both Access Providers and registered senders can play a vital role in protecting consumers from malicious content and ensuring a reliable messaging experience.
