TRAI to Enforce New Messaging Guidelines from October 1: Only Approved Senders Can Include URLs

New Delhi, September 26: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is set to implement its new directive regarding phone messages containing URLs from October 1. This move means that only approved senders will be able to include URLs, APKs (Android Package Kit), or OTT (Over the Top) links in their messages.

The aim of this initiative by TRAI is to promote a safer communication system, shielding consumers from misleading or unwanted link-based messages.

On August 20, TRAI issued a directive to all access providers to block any traffic containing URLs, APKs, or OTT links that are not included in an approved whitelist. 

TRAI has advised registered senders to upload their whitelisted links onto the respective access providers' portals to ensure the smooth flow of SMS traffic containing URLs. So far, over 3,000 registered senders have added more than 70,000 links to the whitelist. However, any sender who fails to whitelist their links by the set deadline will no longer be able to transmit messages containing those links.