DMA hangs up on TPS Protect mobile call blocking app

The DMA is pulling the plug on its TPS Protect mobile call blocking app after just 18 months, following “low consumer uptake” of the service.
Developed in partnership with First Orion, and launched in August 2017, the app was originally designed to help consumers avoid unwanted calls, register their mobile number with the Telephone Preference Service and quickly register complaints about nuisance or scam calls.
It worked by giving each call a “trust score” which was determined by the app’s user base. Users could add numbers to their personal blocked list to ensure they no longer received unwanted calls, as well as use an approved list for those calls they never wanted to miss.
Custom settings allowed users to tailor the types of call they were happy to receive, for example blocking the majority of unwanted calls, but still receiving calls from specific groups, such as charities.
However, the TPS Protect apps have now been taken down from the Android and Apple app stores and no further updates will be released. The service will no longer identify nuisances or scam calls and support for them will be discontinued on February 14.
Even so, all TPS registrations made via the apps before January 14 will still be valid and users will be able to make complaints online.
DMA director of policy and compliance John Mitchison said: “The DMA is committed to protecting consumers from unwanted calls and continues to work with the ICO on this important issue. TPS Protect relies on the feedback from its users to provide protection from unwanted calls, but due to low consumer uptake and usage we have made the difficult decision to close the service.”

TOPICS:cold calls DMA nuisance calls TPS