Romanian regulatory body to halt misleading phone calls
Starting **July 7, 2025**, the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) in Romania has introduced a groundbreaking measure to combat deceptive calls, particularly those falsely claiming to be from public institutions, banks, or companies[1][2][4]. This initiative targets the practice of Caller Line Identification (CLI) Spoofing, a fraudulent method where callers manipulate the number displayed on the recipient's phone[1].
The new measure requires telecom operators to block calls originating from outside Romania that falsely display national phone numbers, including landline, fixed, and mobile numbers, when the displayed caller ID is incorrect or incomplete[1][4]. This action aims to significantly reduce fraudulent calls that trick users by faking official or trusted identities.
The decision to implement this measure follows extensive consultations with electronic communications providers and law enforcement, recognising the growing risk posed by scammers employing advanced methods, such as contact details obtained via AI-generated deepfake materials[1]. Despite the technical blocking, ANCOM stresses that this measure alone cannot eliminate fraud, and urges users to remain vigilant: verify callers’ identities, avoid sharing sensitive information over the phone, keep phone software updated, and report suspicious calls to authorities[1].
In addition, ANCOM encourages users to exercise caution and take precautions when receiving calls from suspicious phone numbers. The new measures focus on calls where users' contact details were obtained after interactions with deepfake-type materials. Users are advised to verify the identity of the caller, not provide personal data over the phone, and constantly update their phone's software and apps. Furthermore, they are encouraged to report suspicious calls to the authorities.
This move by ANCOM is an essential step towards protecting users against identity-fraud calls, enhancing security in telecom services within the country[1][2][4]. The authority's efforts underscore the importance of safeguarding users from the growing threats in the digital age.
- To strengthen cybersecurity in Romania, ANCOM's new measure, effective from July 7, 2025, involves telecom operators blocking deceptive calls by verifying the authenticity of caller IDs, especially those using technology like AI-generated deepfakes.
- Recognizing the advancement in scamming techniques, ANCOM's focus on deepfake materials is a strategic move in the digital era, applying technology to protect users from identity-fraud calls, aiming to improve overall cybersecurity within the country.
