Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 29: In a major step towards tackling the growing menace of spam and scam calls on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, the Indian telecom industry has welcomed the Centre’s decision to regulate digital communication apps such as WhatsApp and Signal.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing top telecom service providers, praised the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for taking the lead on this pressing issue, as conveyed during the recent Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) meeting.

While telecom companies have been battling Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) through tighter regulations, the unchecked growth of spam on OTT apps has raised alarm bells. According to COAI, the MeitY’s involvement signals a significant policy shift, placing the regulatory onus on digital platforms themselves instead of unfairly burdening traditional telecom operators.

Lt. Gen. S. P. Kochhar, Director General of COAI, highlighted the unique challenge posed by OTT apps. “Once an app is installed, it’s no longer tied to the original SIM or handset, making it incredibly difficult to trace spam activities. This decoupling is being exploited by scammers,” he noted.

Kochhar also flagged steganography as an emerging cyber threat — a technique where malicious content is hidden in harmless-looking images or files. This trend, he warned, could amplify digital fraud if not addressed urgently.

The COAI stressed the need for uniform cybersecurity standards across both telecom and OTT platforms. “Creating a unified rulebook is vital to safeguarding citizens and restoring trust in digital communication,” the association asserted.

As spam and scam tactics evolve, the industry sees this initiative as a turning point in protecting Indian users from fraudulent digital activity and ensuring a safer communication ecosystem.