Bothered by spam calls? TRAI’s new rule: AI to detect suspicious numbers

TRAI has tightened regulations regarding spam calls and messages. The authority has amended rules to facilitate the identification of suspicious numbers using AI/ML and to enable information sharing among telecom companies.

If you frequently receive unwanted calls offering loans, credit cards, insurance, or other services, here is some important news for you. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has further tightened rules to curb spam calls and messages. TRAI has introduced the third amendment to the ‘Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations.’ The objective is to swiftly identify spamming numbers and compel telecom companies to take prompt action against them.

AI to detect spam, not just rely on complaints

Under the new system, AI will be used to identify suspicious numbers. Information gathered by the AI ​​systems of telecom companies will be shared among them, ensuring that action can be taken on one network against a suspicious number detected on another.

The most significant change concerns the volume of complaints. If three or more different individuals file complaints against a specific sender within a 10-day period—and the AI ​​system also flags one of their numbers as suspicious—action can be initiated. In other words, the combination of AI detection and consumer complaints will facilitate faster action against spamming numbers.

Provision for action based on 5 complaints

There is a provision to take action against a sender’s telecom resources if complaints are received from different individuals within a 10-day period. This means it will be difficult for spammers to evade consequences simply by changing a single number.

Monitoring calls made via apps

If companies call their customers using apps or automated systems, they must inform the telecom company in advance about the specific numbers that will be used for such calls. Calls made without following this prescribed procedure may be treated as spam. However, if you have explicitly requested information, the company is permitted to respond. If you have personally inquired with a company about a product, service, or information, that company may be granted permission to communicate with you in response; however, a digital or written record of the customer’s request is mandatory. In other words, it will not suffice for a company to merely claim that the customer had consented to the call or message.

Misuse of numbers leads to immediate suspension

If a company’s number or message template is found to be misused, the telecom operator must take action to suspend that resource. If a telemarketer is found responsible, action may also be taken against their other numbers, and they could be blacklisted.

Don’t immediately label 1600 and 1601 numbers as spam

TRAI has established provisions for the 1600 and 1601 number series regarding service and transactional calls. TRAI issued specific guidelines in August 2026 for the use of the 1601 number series.

Therefore, it would be incorrect to dismiss legitimate calls from banks, government services, or other essential services as spam simply based on the number. However, if a specific number is causing you annoyance, you can block it on your phone.

What should you do if you receive a spam call?

If you receive an unwanted spam call or message, you can file a complaint instead of simply ignoring it.
You can do this by calling or sending an SMS to 1909. Complaints can also be lodged via TRAI’s DND app or the telecom operator’s app or website.
According to TRAI, prior registration with the DND (Do Not Disturb) service is not mandatory for filing complaints in certain cases.
Keep in mind that it is important to report spam calls in a timely manner. According to current TRAI information, complaints regarding UCC (Unsolicited Commercial Calls or messages) can be filed within 7 days.

What does this mean for the average user?

Simply put, identifying and catching spam numbers will no longer rely solely on consumer complaints. Efforts are underway to expedite action based on a combination of public complaints and insights derived from AI. The benefit of this approach is that if a particular number is persistently harassing people, action against it can be initiated sooner than before.