Will OTP Delivery for Aadhaar, Netbanking Be Delayed from Dec 1? Here’s What TRAI Says
Will OTP Delivery for Aadhaar, Netbanking Be Delayed from Dec 1? Here's What TRAI Says
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has dismissed claims about potential delays in receiving one-time passwords (OTPs) for Aadhaar, net banking, and other essential services starting December 1, 2024. These rumours stemmed from reports suggesting that TRAI’s new message traceability mandate would disrupt critical transactions.
TRAI’s Clarification
In a post on X, TRAI labelled the reports as “factually incorrect” and reassured the public that its message traceability guidelines would not impact the speed or reliability of OTP delivery. “TRAI has mandated Access Providers to ensure message traceability. It will not delay the delivery of any message,” the regulatory body stated.
Purpose of the Message Traceability Mandate
The new mandate requires telecom operators to trace the origins of all bulk messages, aiming to curb spam and fraudulent messaging. Originally scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2024, the implementation deadline was extended to November 30, 2024, to allow time for technical upgrades by Principal Entities and Telemarketers.
TRAI confirmed that telecom operators have already deployed the necessary infrastructure to comply with these guidelines. The extension was granted to ensure a seamless transition without affecting critical services like OTP-based transactions.
Focus on Cybersecurity and Spam Reduction
This initiative is part of TRAI’s broader efforts to enhance cybersecurity and combat spam. Earlier this year, TRAI introduced penalties for unauthorised promotional calls, including blacklisting offenders for up to two years. These measures have already reduced spam call complaints by 20% between August and October 2024.
The regulatory body assured users that the new rules are designed to strengthen messaging systems without compromising the efficiency of essential services.
