GIRAF : a global informal forum for telecom regulators
- informal group of experts : 39 regulatory authorities from 5 continents, monthly plenary meetings, working groups, joint sessions with One Consortium (all virtual meetings)
- scope : unwanted/fraudulent voice & messaging – initially
- goal : foster multilateral NRA collaboration, global cooperation with the international communications industry (One Consortium) and other stakeholders
- initial objective : framework of non-binding, harmonized regulatory recommendations, best practices and guidelines
- inclusive and free: opt-in, open to all NRAs or public competent Authorities with similar regulatory responsibilities, contributing as resources and availability allow
- neutral, non-binding and independent, led by regulators : Nkom (Norway) and others
- sovereignty : individual NRAs retain full sovereignty and are free to implement GIRAF guidelines and recommendations
Launched June, 2024
As part of the Restore Trust initiative
Fast growing global participation
The Global Informal Regulatory Antifraud Forum (GIRAF), an informal coalition of telecom regulators worldwide, calls on the international service providers (any intermediary player, including international carriers, hyperscalers, aggregators) industry, as one among the relevant stakeholder segments, to take more decisive action against fraudulent traffic.
Fraudulent traffic is so damaging not only to society but also to the industry itself that urgent concrete actions are needed. GIRAF acknowledges positive anti-fraud initiatives by several stakeholders, and at the same time GIRAF encourages the industry to further develop actions to reduce fraud.
Therefore, GIRAF calls for active systematic efforts by international service providers to detect and block fraudulent traffic.
GIRAF urges stakeholders to take part in international collaborations against fraud such as the One Consortium and others to raise awareness, establish best practices and share information.
GIRAF encourages international service providers to avoid partnerships with service providers that lack robust antifraud policies and practices as per industry best practices and regulatory mandates.
GIRAF encourages international service providers to provide adequate public transparency on their policies to stop fraud.
GIRAF underpins that international service providers contracts should have clear descriptions of antifraud obligations such as duties and rights to block, in accordance with relevant regulations. GIRAF encourages the international industry to make the necessary contractual alignments ensuring that fraud prevention is financially viable.
GIRAF encourages international service providers to interact in an effective manner with law enforcement and/or regulators in fraud traceback enquiries, to the extent that information is available.
GIRAF also encourages regulators and other public authorities to actively engage with international service providers residing in their jurisdiction in order to ensure that appropriate antifraud measures are in place.
GIRAF acknowledges that there could be a need for regulatory guidance on measures to combat fraud eg. on privacy, datasharing and concrete fraud protection measures. Service providers should actively interact with regulatory bodies to seek guidance. In this guidance regulators should take into account in their analyses and interpretations of the regulations, the magnitude of damage caused to individuals and societies by digitally enabled fraud.
Approved in GIRAF Plenary 24. November 2025
