To address the issue of unsolicited commercial messages sent through SMS or voice calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a directive under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018). This directive, dated 02.06.2023, requires all Access Providers to establish a Digital Consent Acquisition (DCA) facility.
The primary objective of the DCA system is to create a unified platform for telecom subscribers to digitally register their consent for receiving commercial communications from various entities like banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and trading entities, known as Principal Entities (PEs) or Senders. The current fragmented management of consents by these entities poses challenges for Access Providers in verifying consent authenticity.
The DCA process aims to enable customers to request, manage, and revoke their consent in accordance with TCCCPR-2018 regulations. Consent data will be shared on a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Platform, facilitating thorough scrutiny by all Access Providers.
A standardized short code “127xxx” will be used to transmit consent requests, clearly detailing the purpose, scope, and the Principal Entity seeking consent. Only whitelisted URLs, APKs, OTT links, and call-back numbers will be permitted in these messages. Customers will receive confirmation upon granting consent, along with information on revoking their consent.
Access Providers are required to create an SMS and online platform for customers to indicate their unwillingness to receive consent-seeking messages from any Principal Entity. Existing consents acquired through different means will be deemed null and void after the DCA implementation, mandating all Principal Entities to secure fresh consents exclusively through digital methods.
This regulatory move empowers customers to manage the messages they receive, aiming to provide a transparent, unified system for consent management and combat unwanted commercial messages effectively. TRAI urges Principal Entities to swiftly adopt the DCA system within the stipulated timelines for implementation. The initiative intends to create a safer, user-friendly environment for telecom subscribers while combating spam and unwanted messages.
