The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) has announced that they will launch a new app to stop spam phone calls. The new app would be a modified version of the existing DND app. After its final launch, the app would be a boon for smartphone users that are tired of spam calls, as this would allow them to set their phones on do-not-disturb mode. The new app is expected to be rolled out in around a couple of months, following the conclusion of talks on its technical feasibility with key stakeholders.
Responding To Technical Feasibility
TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti was reported to have said that a thorough assessment of the technical feasibility of the preview and updated app has to be made before the app gets launched. He said that while blocking spam calls is a good idea, there are many factors that would have to be looked into. This step is vital in ensuring that the features which were designed to stop spam calls do not frustrate users further and improves the overall experience with the app.
Problems Faced With Existing DND App
The app has multiple issues that have caused users to report low engagement rates and forced them to criticize the app, the biggest of the issues was the lack of spam call deterrents when the app launched in 2016. Users continue to provide negative feedback on the app as there was a lack of updated version of the app, as many users found it hard to download under Android devices and resulted in many bugs.
Earlier this year, TRAI accepted these problems and pledged to resolve them by March 2024. This recognition came in along with the increasing user discontent and the need to find a better solution to the spam call messages.
Spam Call Scale Problem — how big is it?
India is also suffering from spam calls as approximately 270 million users receive around 5 million spam calls every day. That is a terrifying number and shows how much it’s important to have a practical solution. The new DND app will hopefully eliminate much of this unwanted texting and make things more user friendly.
In the first six months of 2024 alone, TRAI received more than 7.9 lakh complaints against unregistered telemarketers. This statistic points towards more robust measures to block unwanted messages and block spam.
Enhancing the Fight Against Spam
TRAI’s move to roll out the DND app is part of a larger push to continue tackling spam. The telecom regulator has been taking various steps to curtail spam, especially SMS and OTT messaging services. Earlier this year, TRAI asked the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to strengthen the crackdown on unwarranted messages sent over WhatsApp and Telegram.
Telecom operators did a tremendous job in reducing spam following TRAI's orders. TRAI blacklisted 50 entities in September for spamming end-users as per the recommendations of telecom operators. Further, in August TRAI issued tough instructions to telcos to immediately suspend promotional voice calls from unregistered senders.
Importance of Stakeholder Collaboration
The new DND app relies on proper coordination across stakeholders. These sessions seek to iron out the technical issues and make the new functionality seamless. The objective is to develop a simple application to prevent spam calls and serve smartphone users.
TRAI’s interest in stakeholder engagement speaks to its commitment to a comprehensive and holistic response to the spam call challenge. Through consultation with the experts and users, TRAI strives to build an effective solution.
What Customers Expect From the New DND App?
There are high expectations of the new DND app as far as usability and efficiency are concerned. Given the shortcomings of the current app, we are eagerly waiting for an app that is able to remove spam calls with high efficiency and hassle-free functionality.
The new app will have a more robust UI, spam detection, and reporting features. All these features aim to resolve the issues experienced by the old version, and make unwanted calls management a more reliable app.
The Road Ahead
The new DND app is a big step in TRAI’s drive to combat spam calls. As we approach the launch date, people expect and anticipate — both users and the industry alike. If it is successful, the application might redefine the spam call blockers industry, and forge ahead of other innovations.
Both the ongoing crackdown on spam calls and the initiative to update the DND app are signs of TRAI’s efforts to keep users’ interests at heart. Using technology and stakeholder engagement, TRAI will make communication safer and more effective for all.
The new DND app, in summary, was a breakthrough step towards combating spam calls in India. Through its technical feasibility, user experience, and stakeholder collaboration, TRAI will deliver a solution that can drastically decrease unwanted messages and improve the user experience. This is the telecom regulator’s continuous efforts to deal with the problem, as well as its dedication to protect the interests of smartphone users and the spam-free sphere.
