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International Traceback

Mission

This working group focuses on mechanisms to “trace back” calls or messages to their true origin — that is, determine where a call or message actually originated. The aim is to enable operators and regulators worldwide to reliably attribute unwanted or fraudulent traffic to its source — a foundational step for discouraging abuse, enforcing accountability, and deterring future fraudulent communications.g the true origin of a call

Leadership

Angelas Dais

AT&T

Tim French

Wavecrest

Featured Documents

  • Document coming soon >

Traceback - why do we need it to fight spams / scams?

Why do we even need traceback?

  • Locate the origin of targeted call, i.e. unwanted / fraudulent / illegal call – definitions are jurisdiction and other criteria dependent
  • It is complicated to identify the true origin of a call
    • the origin number cannot be trusted : can be spoofed : manipulated/altered
    • not all spoofing is illegal : multiple legitimate business and technical use cases
    • spoofing is easy to use to support fraud
  • Retracing call path hop-by-hop is the only way – often manually
    • cooperation between operators and between countries is required
    • adequate legal & regulatory framework (information sharing, legitimacy of requests…)
    • industry cooperation, central, neutral mechanism

A tool for the organizations responsible for fighting unwanted/ fraudulent calls

International traceback : locating the origin across multiple countries

  • Each country is :
    • a destination : bad traffic can be received – and traceback requested
    • an origin : bad traffic can be originated
    • a transit point for international traffic – a hop in the traceback mechanism
  • Domestic traceback in a given country : same jurisdiction, regulator, rules, process…
  • Global traceback for international traffic : across multiple jurisdictions
  • “Three segment” traceback model:
    • initial domestic segment in destination country : single jurisdiction, initiates request
    • middle segment covering international transit call path : multiple jurisdictions
    • final domestic segment in origin country : single jurisdiction, has origin’s information
  • One Consortium focuses on international segment, interfaces with domestic segments, and support to domestic jurisdictions – and discusses the regulatory framework with GIRAF
  • Status to date : high level outline available, initiated joint discussion with GIRAF

Who’s really calling Bob?