Should You Be Using Truecaller?

Over 400 million people see a blue backdrop whenever their phones ring daily across the globe. Truecaller, an app developed by Swedish software company Tru Software Scandinavia, has become the primary portal through which callers identify one another. Some users of the platform completely avoid picking up the phone if the app does not identify the caller. 

The app has also become quite a phenomenon across Africa, including Ethiopia, with nearly 43 million active users. Founders Nami Zarringhalam and Alan Mamedi marketed the platform as “the go-to app for caller ID and spam blocking.” While Truecaller has certainly evolved into a behemoth in the Caller ID industry, it has done so with questionable data privacy practices. Concerns over consent have accompanied the app’s meteoric rise.

How Does Truecaller Work? 

Truecaller relies on two primary sources for its data needs. Upon downloading Truecaller, users are asked to register and allow the app access to their contacts. This permission enables the app to access the data on their contact list and extract all the names and phone numbers, resulting in a give-and-take relationship.

If you want access to caller ID features and the app’s other functions, then you have to give up your contacts so other users can access the same functions. Every single contact in your phone then becomes part of Truecaller’s database, which includes users who did not register and did not give consent to having their numbers identified. 

This data is combined to create a large database, and users can add more information by reporting spam numbers. The company also determines the contact’s name through the Truecaller community's suggestion through the app or website.

The main feature of Truecaller is its caller identification capability. The app looks up the caller in a database when a call comes in from an unknown number. The caller's name is displayed if a match is discovered, enabling consumers to decide whether to answer.

In addition, in countries like Ethiopia, where spam texts are on the rise, Truecaller can help verify whether an SMS is a legitimate business or service message rather than fraud or spam. 

The app may also display photos, location, and other information about the caller, if available. However, the way this data is collected which improves Truecaller's overall functionality, also raises privacy concerns.

A report published on Rest of the World suggests that Truecaller managed to get a solid footing in countries like India, which accounts for nearly a third of its customer base, by taking advantage of an underdeveloped privacy law legislative framework. Following interviews with legal experts, formal employees, and researchers, the report alleges that Trucaller’s database was primarily composed of information obtained without owners’ consent.

According to Truecaller’s terms of service, when users link their accounts with third-party services—such as social media or payment platforms—the app may receive personal information from these services. This would align with claims that Truecaller maybe building a complete financial profile of its registered users.

While many users appreciate the ability to identify callers and block spam, the trade-off could prove to be significant. Individuals who value their privacy may find it troubling that their contact information could be shared or used without their explicit consent. 

The app’s reliance on user-generated data means that the privacy of an individual can be compromised by the actions of another, highlighting the complexities of digital privacy in the modern age. India had not ratified the country’s Personal Data Protection bill during the period in which Truecaller became a national phenomenon. Ethiopia also ratified its own personal data protection bill just last year, with implementation still getting underway.

​​Digital privacy is an increasingly pressing concern as interconnectivity increases and newer tools backed by big data tools come to the forefront. As technology continues to evolve, so do the threats that individuals face online. By understanding the risks and implementing effective strategies to protect themselves, users can significantly enhance their digital security. Ultimately, a proactive approach to digital safety not only safeguards personal information but also contributes to a safer online environment for everyone.

While Truecaller effectively addresses the challenges of spam calls and caller identification, it also raises critical questions about privacy and data security. As the app continues to grow, it must navigate these concerns with transparency and responsibility, not only with Truecaller. In an increasingly interconnected world, the discussion around digital privacy will only become more pertinent, necessitating ongoing dialogue and action from both users and service providers.