TRAI’s New SMS Rules Focus on Spam Control, Not OTP Delays

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has assured the public that its updated bulk SMS regulations will not disrupt the prompt delivery of one-time passcodes (OTPs).

This clarification addresses concerns raised by a viral video and accompanying news reports that wrongly suggested all SMS messages would undergo a mandatory verification process before delivery.

TRAI refuted these claims, calling them a misrepresentation of its directive issued on August 20, 2024, under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018. The directive introduces stricter requirements for bulk SMS senders, mandating that they register their message templates in advance, including those used for OTPs.

The new regulations require telecom operators to maintain a detailed “chain record” that links every SMS to its originating access provider (bulk SMS gateway) and the corresponding entity responsible for registering the message format. The intent of these measures is to combat the increasing menace of spam and fraudulent SMS and calls, not to hinder legitimate communication services like OTP delivery.

Set to take effect on November 30, 2024, after multiple extensions to allow telecom operators to upgrade their systems, the directive ensures accountability while preserving the smooth and instantaneous delivery of critical services.