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The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), in collaboration with Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), held an awareness workshop to empower consumers to protect their personal data and promote safe use of mobile phones, as part of the National Initiative to Celebrate 160 Years of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).The workshop comes as a part of CRA’s ongoing series of initiatives launched to raise awareness about the safe and responsible use of digital technologies to reinforce confidence in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Qatar, in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030 that aspires to create an informed and secure digital community.CRA experts conducted interactive sessions that demonstrated how users can manage privacy settings on their mobile phones, identify potentially unsafe applications, and control data access permissions effectively.The workshop also featured practical discussions on enhancing privacy on messaging and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, with participants learning how to adopt safe digital habits that reduce exposure to online risks.On this occasion, Director of the Consumer Affairs Department at CRA Amel Salem al-Hanawi stated: “Enhancing awareness is the cornerstone of digital protection. Through this workshop, we aimed to empower elderly people to take control of their digital privacy and make informed decisions about their data. We remain committed to engaging directly with the community and translating our consumer protection mandate into tangible action that builds trust and strengthens digital resilience.”Acting Director of Social Awareness and Community Outreach Department at Ehsan Center Shaikha Ahmed al-Horaib stated: “The collaboration between the Center for Empowerment and Elderly Care, Ehsan, and the Communications Regulatory Authority comes as part of our ongoing efforts to promote safe digital literacy among the elderly and to empower them to use modern technologies with confidence and security”.She added: “This partnership reflects the Center’s commitment to supporting the elderly in keeping pace with digital transformation, enhancing their ability to protect their personal data and private information, and enabling them to interact with technology in a conscious way that contributes to their digital safety and quality of life.”

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has begun the gradual launch of the first phase of the Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) initiative, in collaboration with the telecom service providers Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar, and in co-ordination with the relevant national authorities. The initiative aims to protect consumers, enhance their trust in telecom services, and reduce fraudulent calls.Under this initiative, the two service providers will implement the CNAP for all fixed and mobile voice calls made by legal entities within the country to local mobile numbers belonging to consumers. This includes calls from ministries and government entities, private companies, non-profit organisations, educational and healthcare institutions, associations, as well as banks and financial institutions.This service is part of a comprehensive national initiative developed by CRA in co-ordination with Ooredoo Qatar, Vodafone Qatar, and relevant authorities across various local sectors. The initiative aims to enhance trust in phone calls and reduce fraudulent attempts targeting users through the impersonation of legal entities.The new service enables call recipients to identify the official, verified name of the calling entity before answering, allowing them to distinguish immediately between trusted and suspicious calls.This initiative was launched to protect users from fraudulent calls, which often involve impersonation of legal entities to obtain sensitive personal or financial information. The CNAP service allows users to view the official registered name of the calling entity alongside the phone number in real-time, helping them make an informed decision on whether to accept or reject the call.In this context, Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of CRA, said: “Mandating the telecom Service Providers to implement the CNAP service establishes the foundations for safe and trusted communication in the State of Qatar.CRA will continue working with relevant stakeholders to develop innovative digital solutions that contribute to building a more secure telecommunications environment.” He added: “This initiative is part of the CRA’s strategy to enhance trust and protect consumers, reflecting its commitment to a proactive regulatory approach that serves the public interest and strengthens Qatar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ecosystem, in support of the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.”Further commenting on this collaboration, Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “We are pleased to be part of this joint initiative, which enables us to support the national efforts to develop the telecommunications sector in the country.At Ooredoo Qatar, we adopt the latest technological solutions that place our customers’ interests at the forefront of our priorities, and this initiative stands as a core pillar of what we believe in and work to achieve.”Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim al-Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Qatar, commented: “In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, Vodafone Qatar remains committed to supporting the digital transformation of the country. The implementation of CNAP reflects our dedication to customer safety, secure and reliable communication, and compliance with regulatory requirements.” The first phase will activate the service for all local fixed lines numbers of legal entities, while the second phase will extend it to all local mobile numbers belonging to these entities. Entities will be automatically enrolled, with an option to opt out, subject to certain conditions, during the second phase for mobile numbers that are not used for public-facing communications.The service will not be implemented on international calls and calls received by consumers while using international roaming service. It also will not be implemented on outgoing calls from residential landlines and personal mobile numbers.