Commission Directs Quick Technical Solutions for Spam Messages

During this week, the Communications and Information Technology Commission directed mobile telecom service providers to inform users of the quick solutions currently available to reduce spam text messages, by enabling the subscriber to opt out of all lists previously subscribed to by sending a message to one of the numbers designated to stop promotional messages, adding that it has identified a number of key entities within specific lists ("white lists") whose messages cannot be unsubscribed from, such as government entities, major hospitals, universities and schools. The Commission called on all subscribers to submit suggestions and evaluate the solutions currently provided by service providers by contacting the specialists at the Commission via email at sms_spam@cst.gov.sa

It also directed mobile telecom operators to implement technical solutions over the next three months that would automatically enable the subscriber to have full control over the type and sources of messages they receive, in order to protect users and reduce the phenomenon of spam text messages.

It is noted that unwanted promotional (spam) text messages sent via short message service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS) are a multi-faceted issue, and the Commission adopts a multi-pronged approach that combines the application of regulations, international cooperation, the use of technology, raising awareness among telecom service users, and setting controls to reduce them. For more information on this topic, please visit the Commission's website and access the regulations on spam messages.