The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a proactive step to address the menace of spam calls by initiating trials of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature. This feature aims to display the caller’s name, enhancing transparency and reducing unwanted calls for telecom users.
Implementation After General Elections: DoT officials have indicated that the government intends to implement the CNAP feature post-general elections, following a recommendation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The urgency to curb spam calls underscores the need for swift action in implementing these features.
Difference from Third-Party Apps: While CNAP may appear similar to third-party apps like Truecaller, there are significant distinctions. Truecaller relies on crowdsourced data, which may be inaccurate at times. In contrast, CNAP will utilize information from the Customer Application Form (CAF), ensuring greater accuracy and reliability.
Utilization of CAF Data: The Customer Application Form (CAF) serves as a vital source of information, providing details of the customer’s identity and installation address during SIM card purchase. Therefore, the name registered on the CAF will be visible to the recipient of the call, enhancing accountability and trust in caller identification.
Database Creation by Telecom Service Providers: Major telecom service providers, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, have commenced the creation and maintenance of databases containing customer names alongside their phone numbers. This initiative aims to streamline caller identification and reduce instances of spam calls.
Privacy Concerns and Backlash: Despite the potential benefits of the CNAP feature, it faced backlash in 2023 due to privacy concerns raised by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). COAI, representing Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea, highlighted apprehensions regarding data privacy and protection.
Conclusion: The trials of the CNAP feature represent a significant stride towards enhancing telecommunications transparency and reducing spam calls. By leveraging CAF data and implementing robust caller identification mechanisms, the government aims to provide users with a more secure and trustworthy calling experience.
