DoT orders telcos to put a stop to the subscribers sending offensive messages: Report

According to a report by PTI, The Department of Telecom (DoT) has asked the telecom operators to curb the subscribers which are sending offensive or obscene messages to people. As per the report, a helpline should be stationed for in order to receive complaints against such customers.

The DoT has issued this order in the wake of some TV journalists filing complaints against receipt of abusive messages on their cellphones from some mobile subscribers—reports PTI.

As reported by PTI, DoT has asked the telecom operators to licence conditions bar carriage of objectionable obscene, unauthorised or any other content, messages or communications in any form in the network.

The order marked to all telecom operators dated February 19 said,  "You are hereby directed to take immediate action against the customers/subscribers of your network for sending messages as it is also a violation of customer declaration in customer application form."

The PTI report also noted that the Telecom operators have been asked to report compliance within 15 days. Along with that, the order also suggested that telecom operators may open a dedicated call centre or helpline for receiving complaints against customers sending offensive messages to people.