This article describes an important Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) compliance update for securing SMS communications.

What Is Changing?

TRAI has mandated that all URL shortening domains used in SMS messages must be registered and allowlisted. This applies to both custom domains and third-party shortening services.

Why Does This Matter?

In response to increasing cases of fraud and spam in SMS communications, TRAI is implementing these changes to enhance security and protect consumers. By regulating the domains used in SMS links, TRAI aims to reduce the risk of phishing and other malicious activities.

Actions Required

Actions to Be Performed on the MoEngage Dashboard

1. Review all domains used in your SMS campaigns for link shortening.
2. Add Sender IDs as part of the SMS configurations on the MoEngage dashboard.
   
   • For Listed connectors, Sender IDs are captured already. Recheck the Sender ID as part of the configuration.
   • For Custom connectors, edit the sender configuration and add the Sender ID as part of the connector configuration.
     

Actions to be Performed on the DLT Portal for Each Sender ID

1. If you use MoEngage to shorten the links, perform the following steps on the DLT portal:
   
   • Steps for the Airtel DLT portal:
     1. Navigate to the DLT portal and click Manage CTA.
     2. Click Add New and click Yes on the pop-up window.
     3. Select URL & Short URL.
     4. Add the URL as http://ux.mnge.co/Your Sender ID/ and provide the sample URL as http://ux.mnge.co/Your SenderID/12345 and click Confirm.
        • Please replace x with your dashboard, that is, for dashboard-01, short URL would be http://u1.mnge.co/your senderID/
        • The approval process for the URL will be completed in 24 to 48 Hours.
   • For other DLT portals, refer to the detailed guidelines below:
     • BSNL
     • VI
     • Reliance
     • Tata Tele Services
2. If you use your custom domain to shorten the links, perform the following steps on the DLT portal:
   1. Steps for the Airtel DLT portal:
      1. Navigate to the DLT portal and click Manage CTA.
      2. Click Add New and click Yes in the pop-up window.
      3. Select URL & Short URL.
      4. Add the URL as http://yourbrand.domain/Your SenderID/ and provide the sample URL as http://yourbrand.domain/Your SenderID/12345 and click Confirm.
         • If you have not verified a custom domain on MoEngage, follow the steps listed in this guide.
         • The approval process for the URL on DLT will be completed in 24 to 48 Hours.
   2. For other DLT portals, refer to the detailed guidelines below:
      • BSNL
      • VI
      • Reliance
      • Tata Tele Services

If you face any issues, contact your DLT service providers.

What Happens If the Steps Are Not Followed

MoEngage would still submit messages to Partners but TRAI can reject the delivery of messages for not complying with the guidelines above.