‘195’ Helps Block Annoying Ads on Cell Phones

Unwanted text message advertisements have always been a nuisance for cell phone users in Iran. The Communications Regulatory Authority has created a system through which subscribers can register complaints against the irritating ads, Mehr News Agency reported. Users can send the phone number of the ad sender to CRA’s automated system ‘195’ via a text message. The regulator will look into the matter, and if the advertising company continues sending the ads — which many consider as spam — its number will be blocked. Local mobile operators have been censured for disregarding the calm and tranquility of users. Each operator has provided Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes (USSD codes) through which they say users can get rid of the advertisement messages but the system does not work as claimed.