TRAI to Curb Activation of VAS without explicit subscriber Consent

TRAI has directed all the service providers to identify the root cause behind the problem of VAS activation without explicit subscriber consent. For  a very long time Telecom subscribers have been complaining of activation of VAS services without explicit consent. Especially in rural areas and among naive ,gullible consumers this problem is more rampant as they unknowingly respond to a OBD (out bound dialled) IVR calls by pressing some keys. Activation of VAS services through this medium is kept in the category of implicit consent. TRAI is of the view that  VAS should be activated only through explicit consent of the customers.

During the half yearly meeting of the Consumer advocacy group which was held at Chennai in the month of December, several consumer advocates raised the issue and thus TRAI has taken up to resolve the issue. With that objective TRAI has written to all service providers to identify the root cause and to take actions to mitigate the problem. TRAI has directed service providers to send a detailed report on the cause of the problem and action taken.