TRAI says DND app to start working by March 2024

For years, spam calls and messages have posed a persistent challenge for Indian users. However, there is optimism that the situation might improve in the coming year. The Do Not Disturb (DND) app, developed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), has been around for a long time but is yet to fulfill its intended purpose effectively. 

The DND app lets users block spam calls and texts. The telecom body has been quoted saying that it is fixing bugs in its DND app that is supposed to help people report these pesky calls. TRAI secretary V Raghunandan said that has roped in an agency, which is fixing bugs in the app as there were issues with some Android devices.  

Without explaining what these bugs are, the TRAI official, while speaking at an event recently, shared details about this app and where things are headed. 

Trai Secretary V Raghunandan was quoted as saying that it has highlighted the technical issues that have plagued its use for consumers. “We have roped in an agency, which is fixing bugs in the app. There were issues with some Android devices that have been addressed to a large extent,” he adds. He also confirmed that the new-look DND app will be compatible with all Android phones by March 2024. 

The official further clarified that the DND app encountered issues when mobile users attempted to report a call or SMS as spam, resulting in errors. 

Another challenge with the DND app is its limited functionality for iPhone users, primarily due to stringent app store policies imposed by Apple. Apps like DND face restrictions in accessing iPhone call logs from Apple, affecting their effectiveness. However, the official assured that efforts are underway to make the DND app compatible with iOS devices.