CTIA Launches Secure Messaging Initiative

CTIA launched the Secure Messaging Initiative (SMI) Wednesday, targeting wanted and illegal text messaging spam. The SMI “includes a central clearinghouse that providers and government agencies will use to share suspected spam messages and techniques, in order to more rapidly and effectively shut down spam activity and target the senders of unwanted or fraudulent messages,” CTIA said: “Participants of the SMI will also share best practices and other information that can be used to further refine spam mitigation efforts.” CTIA also released a best practices document. Consumers can help by forwarding spam text messages to 7726 or reporting them to security apps or government agencies like the FTC, FCC and the state attorneys general, the group said.