Truecaller is planning to expand its caller identification service to various messaging apps such as WhatsApp, reports Reuters. This move aims to assist users in identifying potential spam calls received over the internet.
Truecaller, a global mobile application that helps identify incoming calls and block spam, has over 350 million users worldwide, with India being its biggest market, where it has around 250 million users.
The company generates its revenue through various sources such as advertising, subscription services, and verified business listings. Recently, Truecaller launched AI-powered SMS fraud protection, aimed at safeguarding its users from fraudulent text messages.
Spam Calls in India
In India, the problem of telemarketing and scamming calls has been on the rise. According to Truecaller’s 2021 report, Indian users receive an average of 17 spam calls per month. In February, the Indian telecom regulator instructed service providers like Jio and Airtel to apply AI filters to stop telemarketing calls on their networks.
This move was aimed at combating the rising problem of unsolicited marketing calls, which often leads to consumer harassment and privacy violations. Truecaller has been in talks with telecom operators to develop similar solutions.
Truecaller’s CEO, Alan Mamedi, revealed that the company is currently testing an identification service on WhatsApp, which will be launched globally later in May.
WhatsApp, which already employs spam detection technology to identify and block problematic accounts, has also launched a ‘Stay Safe’ campaign to educate users on online privacy and safety measures.
According to Alan Mamedi, the CEO of Truecaller, who spoke to Reuters,
There has been a recent surge in user reports from India regarding spam calls over WhatsApp. The shift by telemarketers to internet calling is a relatively new trend in the market. This indicates that the problem of spam calls is not only limited to traditional telephone networks but has now spread to internet-based communication platforms as well.