Why Your Bank OTPs Could Stop Working Soon: Important Update for All Users

The end of August could spell disaster for millions of mobile users in India who may see their bank OTP and delivery OTP fail. Without OTP you cannot authorize payment or select your online delivery. This is going to be a nightmare that can happen much sooner than you think. A new report claims that after August 31, mobile operators may find it difficult to authorize third-party messages without a revised spam policy from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or TRAI.

Why SMS block too?
TRAI’s new spam rules require telcos to register companies that provide OTPs and vital information while blocking any SMS you receive with URLs and Android app APK files that may pose a malware threat. . Many people in the country have been caught sleeping with such SMS, who inadvertently click on these links and enable hackers to access their devices and use the data to steal money and other private information.

The telecom body wants to put an end to this but the short-term changes could cause a lot of pain and inconvenience as telcos are supposed to register services by September 1, otherwise their messages will be blocked from reaching your number.

How the spam rule will change things
Telecom companies have to assign them a new message template which is readable and this is the only way that these SMS will pass strict scrutiny. The details also include URLs and phone numbers that are added to certain services, and if they are not whitelisted, these messages will be blocked by the network. These headers are usually what you see at the top of an SMS such as the subject line for banks, payment operators and the likes of Zomato or Uber. Messages will be read using reliable technology to ensure that no commercial messages can be malicious.

Problems may also become apparent as most telcos are yet to fully integrate these changes and have whitelisted services and their templates.

Reportedly, telecom companies have requested TRAI for further extensions on making these changes, so you know, the deadline could be pushed forward, meaning temporary relief for billions of mobile users in the country. Having said that, the report said that the regulator has given enough time for these changes and there may not be any further extension.