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The Delhi High Court asked Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to take action against entities and persons not complying with Telecommunication Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018.
Delhi High Court given 8 weeks to TRAI to complete procedure and take some action on the show-cause notices issued by it to show progress made in ensuring compliance with the said regulations
The direction comes on a plea filed by One97 Communications Limited that runs Paytm, alleged damages to its reputation due to “phishing” activities over mobile networks of major telecom companies.
The payments company in its petition had said such mass fraud was a direct result of respondents flouting legislative framework regulating commercial communication over telecom networks — Telecommunication Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR).
The company had claimed that millions of its customers have been defrauded by phishing activities over mobile networks.
Paytm had demanded ₹100 crore from telcos for alleged damage to their brand and loss of good will.
The plea sought strict implementation of TCCCPR 2018 to prevent and minimize unsolicited and fraudulent commercial communication being sent over the networks of telecom companies.
Delhi High Court Bench said- court expects that TRAI will adjudicate the show cause notices issued by it to the unregistered entities and persons and some progress will be shown on the action taken.
“Start taking action against at least 10 persons. Why are you feeling shy, take action against one or two and let them come to the court then we will deal with it”
Advocate Arjun Natarajan, representing TRAI, said he was making a statement that TRAI shall take steps for barring unregistered headers.
Paytm has contended that the telecom majors are violating their obligations under the TCCCPR 2018.
He sought four weeks time to take action against unregistered entities or against whom the show cause notices have been issued.
The observations and direction by the bench came while hearing a plea by One97 Communications Ltd, which runs online payment platform Paytm, alleging that telecom operators are not blocking “phishing” activities over various mobile networks.