Draft plan to curb anonymous spam calls
A draft law from the Ministry of Digital Development would require mobile operators to disclose the purpose of every call. The measure is aimed at reducing anonymous spam and the scams that come with it. If the caller cannot provide this data, the operator would block the call. The system would automatically transmit the necessary data so the source behind the call becomes visible on the recipient’s screen. This approach is described as a way to give users clearer information about why a call is being made.
If the data is not provided, the call will be blocked. The policy envisions a seamless flow of information so that the caller’s intent appears on the subscriber’s device, helping users decide whether to answer. The aim is to curb nuisance and protect consumers from deceptive attempts that rely on hidden purposes for calls.
Industry observers note that the largest mobile operators currently block hundreds of millions of unwanted calls each month, including scams. The scale underscores how persistent the spam problem is and why regulators are evaluating stronger measures to curb it.
In mid-September, a leader at a reliable AI laboratory suggested pairing anti-spam measures with a dedicated anti-spam app and a virtual assistant to assist users in handling suspicious calls. The proposal reflects ongoing interest in leveraging technology to reduce unsolicited communications and to help people respond more confidently to unknown numbers.
Earlier, Russians pointed to email subject lines that warned of viruses. The shift toward stricter control of communications follows a broader push to improve digital safety and to give users more visibility into the origins and purpose of messages and calls.
The move sits within a wider discussion about how much information should accompany a call and how to protect privacy while promoting transparency. Similar debates are taking place in North America as regulators consider how caller ID, consent, and spam-protection measures can reduce fraud without undermining legitimate communication. If adopted, the rule could reshape how telecom operators manage spoofed or anonymous calls and how devices present call information to users. The discussion also touches on the compatibility of such rules with existing privacy standards and how carriers implement these changes across networks and devices.
Also part of the conversation is the recognition that public awareness and acceptance will matter. Consumers want clearer signals about why a call is happening, while providers aim to minimize false positives that could interrupt legitimate business. In this evolving landscape, technology plays a central role in identifying legitimate calls and giving people options to block or allow communications based on context and risk signals. The overall goal remains to cut down on fraud and nuisance while preserving access to important, legitimate outreach across digital networks.