Urgent Update: TRAI Directive 20.08.2024 – Mandatory Whitelisting of URLs, APKs, OTT Links, and Callback Numbers for Customer Communications
Dear Valued Customers,
Warm Greetings from SMSGatewayCenter!
At SMSGatewayCenter, we are dedicated to keeping you informed about regulatory changes and new implementations that may impact Unsolicited Commercial Calls (UCC) to ensure your business remains uninterrupted and compliant.
In light of the TRAI Directive issued on May 12, 2023, it is now mandatory for each variable in your message templates to be pre-tagged according to its intended purpose. It is essential that no additional information is conveyed through these variables in the actual SMS beyond what is specified in the pre-tagging.
To assist in complying with this directive and to streamline the registration process, Operators have introduced the option to pre-tag variables:
- Principle Entities (PEs) must ensure that URLs, APKs, OTT links, or callback numbers included in messages are whitelisted on the DLT portal before sending them to customers.
- To avoid delivery failures, PEs should verify that variables are correctly tagged.
- PEs must ensure that all variables are accurately tagged in accordance with the validations provided on the template registration page.
- PEs can whitelist either the full URL or the dynamic URL up to the domain name.
- Fixed URLs and callback numbers must be declared in the actual SMS.
For detailed information, please refer to the TRAI press release here and the Direction document here.
Example:
- Update! Dear {#var1#}, {#var2#} credited to your A/C {#var3#} on {#var4#}. Your available balance in account is {#var5#}. Team MyCompany
- Update! Dear Raghhav, INR 15,000 credited to your A/C XXXXX9999 on 01-09-2024. Your available balance in account is INR 100,011. Team MyCompany
Variable Tagging:
- #var1 – Text
- #var2 – Currency
- #var3 – Text
- #var4 – Date
- #var5 – Currency
Please note that messages will be processed based on pre-tagged details, whitelisted URLs/links, and callback numbers. Operators will begin variable pre-tagging during template registration. Each variable must be declared accurately in relation to the information being sent.
Starting September 1, 2024, only whitelisted URLs/APKs/OTT links/callback numbers will be permitted in content templates. Traffic that includes non-whitelisted components will be rejected.
Given the urgency of this Directive, Operators are diligently working to enable the whitelisting capability in your login interface. They will keep you informed about its availability. In the meantime, we recommend collecting data on all your URLs/APKs/OTT links/CTAs to be ready for upload and whitelisting once this feature is available.
Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@smsgatewaycenter.com.
You can access the comprehensive documentation on CTA Whitelisting in the User Manual provided by Vodafone India Ltd, available in the PDF below.
Best regards,
The SMSGatewayCenter Team
