Yes, there is a legal way to stop repeated spam and promotional calls in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has established the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR), also known as the Do Not Disturb (DND) registry, to help consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls. You can register your number on the DND registry to opt out of such calls.
how you can register:
By Phone: Call the toll-free number 1909 and follow the instructions to register your preference, according to TRAI.
By SMS: Send an SMS to 1909 with the relevant code to register for DND or to specify the categories of calls you want to block, says The Economic Times.
Using the TRAI DND App: You can also register through the TRAI DND 2.0 mobile app.
Once registered, telemarketers are legally obligated to refrain from contacting you, except for transactional messages related to services you have subscribed to. If you continue to receive unwanted calls after registering, you can report them to your telecom operator or through the DND app. TRAI has also introduced measures to penalize telecom operators and telemarketers for non-compliance with these regulations.
Yes, there are legal ways to curb repeated spam and promotional calls in India. The primary method is registering your number with the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR), also known as the Do Not Disturb (DND) service. Additionally, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides further protections by prohibiting telemarketing without user consent.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
1. National Customer Preference Register (NCPR/DND):
This is a registry managed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
You can register your number (mobile or landline) to opt-out of receiving unsolicited commercial communications (UCC) from telemarketers.
How to register: You can register via SMS by sending "START DND" to 1909, or by calling 1909 and following the voice prompts.
After registration: Telemarketers are prohibited from contacting you after a stipulated period (usually 7 days).
Reporting violations: If you still receive calls after registration, you can file a complaint with your telecom service provider or through the TRAI DND 3.0 app.
2. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023:
This act is a significant step towards protecting individuals' digital data, including their phone numbers.
It prohibits telemarketing activities without explicit consent from the individual.
Consequences for violations: Businesses found violating the act can face penalties up to ₹50 Crores per instance, according to Leegality.
3. Other Measures:
TRAI DND 3.0 App: This app allows you to report spam calls and SMS, and also manage your DND preferences.
Caller ID Apps: Apps like Truecaller can help identify and block spam calls.
Reporting to authorities: You can report spam calls and SMS to the relevant authorities, including the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
4. Legal Recourse:
Criminal Intimidation:
If spam calls involve threats or harassment, you can file a police complaint under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) like Section 506, which deals with criminal intimidation.
Breach of Privacy:
Unsolicited calls or recording calls without consent may also be a breach of privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
By utilizing these methods, you can effectively reduce the number of spam and promotional calls you receive and take legal action if necessary.
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