What are the STIR/SHAKEN standards for mobile phones?

 

STIR/SHAKEN is a set of procedures aiming to verify caller identity. They are intended to help combat unwanted calls received by members of the public. 

STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) is an acronym for a set of standards that allow a telecommunications service provider to verify the legitimacy of a caller’s number when a call is made. 

SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted Information using toKENs) is an acronym for a framework that allows different operators to deploy the STIR protocol to authenticate calls made and received on the IP network. 

 

  1. Why it’s important

    The STIR/SHAKEN standards involve different ways to indicate whether the caller number displayed on compatible mobile devices is trustworthy.

    The CRTC has required all Canadian telecommunications service providers to implement these standards to combat caller identity spoofing. 

    Good to know: Spoofing is a technique that alters the caller ID information displayed on your phone to hide the caller’s identity. This technique is based on the principle that we are more likely to respond when we receive a call that appears legitimate (such as a local phone number). Spoofing can be used for unethical reasons such as deceptive telemarketing or fraud. 

    There are times, however, when changing the caller’s identity is acceptable. A doctor for instance, calling to discuss a patient’s lab results may want to display the hospital’s number rather than their personal number. 

  1. Under what conditions can a number be verified?

    Because the standards are being rolled out and are not yet supported by all vendors, not all calls are verified. 

    A caller’s number can only be verified if it meets all of the following criteria: 

    • The standard is applied by both caller’s and the recipient’s telephone service provider. 

    • The voice call is made between individuals who subscribe to a Canadian telecommunications service. 

    • The call is made via VoLTE.  

    • The receiver’s device is compatible with the standards. 

    Good to know: For the time being, only VoLTE calls from Fizz members can be displayed as verified on Fizz's compatible mobile devices. 
     

    The STIR/SHAKEN standards only authenticate the caller’s number and indicate that it has been verified. Calls from unverified numbers are displayed the usual way. 

  1. How is a verified call displayed?

    A quick glance at your call display will tell you if the caller’s number has been verified. The display may vary depending on your mobile phone model: 

    • On Android devices, the “Verified Number” and a green checkmark indicate that the caller number has been verified. 

    • On iPhone, the “Verified Number” is visible only in the call history. 
       

    A “Verified Number” does not entirely rule out the risk of fraud. It simply means that the caller’s number belongs to them. 

  1. Which mobile phones are compatible with the STIR/SHAKEN standards? 

    The STIR/SHAKEN standards have been phased in since November 30, 2021. More and more phones support them, including the following mobile phones and their later models: 

    • iPhone SE 2020 

    • iPhone 11 Pro Max 

    • iPhone 14 Pro Max 

    • Samsung Note 20 Ultra 5G 

    • Samsung Galaxy A51/A32 5G 

    • Google Pixel 6 

    • Motorola G 5G 

    • LG K41S 

    • LG K61 

    • TCL 30 XE 5G 

    Other phones may also be compatible. We invite you to verify this information with the manufacturer. 

    If your phone is not compatible, it will not display a “Verified Number.” If it becomes compatible as a result of an update, this note will automatically appear when a verified call is received. You do not have to take any specific action. 

  1. How do I block incoming phone numbers that are not in my contacts?

    The procedure may vary slightly depending on the model of your device. 

    To block a number not in your contact list: 

    1. Launch the Phone application and press Recent at the bottom of the screen. 

    1. Swipe down to the number you want to block and press the icon next to it. 

    1. Press Block. 

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