COAI Urges Regulation of OTT Apps to Combat Rising Spam

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of spam calls and messages on over-the-top (OTT) communication apps, urging the government to implement stricter regulations on these platforms. Representing major telecom operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, COAI emphasized that apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, Google Chat, and Viber are not taking adequate measures to curb unsolicited communications, unlike telecom service providers.

COAI's director-general, SP Kochhar, pointed out that while telecom companies have deployed artificial intelligence and other technologies to minimize spam, OTT platforms continue to be a weak link in controlling fraudulent and nuisance communications. "Telecom service providers are doing it. OTTs are not. So, in this one segment, it (spam) is continuing to grow. He added that certain telecom operators have significantly reduced spam using AI-driven solutions, ensuring a better experience for users.According to COAI, while telecom companies have implemented stringent measures to curb unsolicited messages, mobile apps continue to be a major loophole in combating the problem.

The association believes that OTT communication services should be subject to regulations similar to those imposed on telecom operators. Unlike telcos, which must comply with stringent rules regarding spam prevention and user safety, digital communication apps currently operate without comparable oversight. COAI has urged regulatory bodies, including the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), to address this disparity and implement a uniform framework for all communication service providers.

The telecom body also emphasized that while telecom companies have integrated AI-based spam filters and blockchain-backed solutions to detect and block unsolicited communications, digital platforms lack similar proactive efforts. COAI believes that the absence of strict verification processes and the ease of creating anonymous accounts on these apps contribute significantly to the surge in fraudulent activities. It has urged the government and regulatory bodies such as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to enforce stricter compliance measures on mobile applications.

On the other hand, OTT platform providers argue that they have already introduced several measures to tackle spam, such as user reporting mechanisms and AI-based content moderation. However, cybersecurity experts caution that these efforts may not be enough, as fraudsters frequently exploit loopholes in these platforms to send bulk promotional messages and phishing links. Without a concerted effort involving both telecom operators and OTT platforms, the issue of spam is unlikely to be resolved.

As consumer complaints about spam continue to mount, the debate over regulating OTT platforms is gaining momentum. COAI maintains that telecom operators should not be solely responsible for addressing the problem and that digital platforms must be held to the same standards. With growing pressure from industry stakeholders and regulators, the coming months could see new policy developments aimed at closing the regulatory gap and ensuring a more secure communication ecosystem for users.