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Yamaguchi先生 (talk | contribs) m Protected "Truecaller": Persistent disruptive editing ([Edit=Require autoconfirmed or confirmed access] (expires 16:20, 8 November 2023 (UTC)) [Move=Require autoconfirmed or confirmed access] (expires 16:20, 8 November 2023 (UTC))) |
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{{Undisclosed paid|date=May 2023}}
{{Short description|Swedish Mobile phone application}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox software
| name =
| logo =
| logo size =
| screenshot =
| screenshot alt = TrueCaller Logo.png
| caption = Truecaller on [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| developer = True Software Scandinavia
| released = {{Start date and age|2009|07|01}}
| programming language =
| operating system = [[Android (operating system)|Android]]<br />[[iOS]]<br />
[[ | language = [[Multilingual]]
| genre = {{Bulleted_list
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| website = {{URL|https://www.truecaller.com/}}
}}
'''
== History ==
It was initially launched on [[Symbian]] and [[Windows Mobile]] on 1 July 2009. It was released for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[IPhone|Apple iPhone]] on 23 September 2009, for [[BlackBerry]] on 27 February 2012, for [[Windows Phone]] on 1 March 2012, and for [[Series 40|Nokia Series 40]] on 3 September 2012.
As of September 2012,
On 18 September 2012, [[TechCrunch]] announced<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/18/open-ocean-invests-1-3m-to-push-crowdsourced-directory-truecallers-global-reach/|title=Open Ocean Invests $1.3M To Push Crowdsourced Directory Truecaller's Global Reach|last=Lomas|first=Natasha|date=September 18, 2012|work=TechCrunch|publisher=([[TechCrunch]] was owned by [[AOL]] as of 2012)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920000335/https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/18/open-ocean-invests-1-3m-to-push-crowdsourced-directory-truecallers-global-reach/|archive-date=September 20, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=July 24, 2017}}</ref> that OpenOcean,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.openoceancapital.com/|title=Investor in Community and Open Source Business|date=2012-09-19|publisher=Open Ocean Capital|access-date=19 September 2012|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822221032/http://openoceancapital.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[venture capital]] fund led by former [[MySQL]] and [[Nokia]] executives (including [[Michael Widenius]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://it24.idg.se/2.2275/1.466729/miljonregn-over-svenska-truecaller|title=Miljonregn över svenska Truecaller|last=Videla|first=Emanuel|date=2012-09-19|publisher=IT24/IDG|language=sv|trans-title=Millions rain down on Swedish
In February 2014,
On 7 July 2015,
In December 2019,
== Competitive and regulatory landscape ==
Truecaller gets about 75% of its revenue from India. The Indian regulatory body TRAI has [https://www.trai.gov.in/notifications/press-release/trai-releases-recommendations-introduction-calling-name-presentation announced] a competing service for Caller ID based on CNAP (Caller Name Presentation). This would enable caller ID without the use of any apps. There were small [https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/telecom-operators-kick-off-trials-for-calling-name-presentation-cnap-service/article68290149.ece tests done] in June/July 2024. If this is rolled out pan India, analysts expect this to substantially impact the usage of Truecaller in India.
[https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Digital%20Personal%20Data%20Protection%20Act%202023.pdf Indian data privacy act] which will come into force in later 2024 is also expected to negatively impact Truecaller in India. When this is in force, Truecaller will not be able to collect and use unconsented data which powers their caller ID database.
In a lawsuit in Nigeria, Truecaller [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olumide-babalola_oblp-v-truecaller-activity-7165456107124027393-RqHq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop defended] their security and privacy policy stating that the users whose phone books were uploaded by Truecaller are the data controllers and that Truecaller is merely a data processor. This is different from Europe where they dont seem to upload users' phone books as it may run afoul of GDPR. There are now 2 more lawsuits against Truecaller in Nigeria seeking to end Truecaller's unconsented data practices (ONWUBUARIRI vs TRUECALLER INTERNATIONAL LLP and OKAFOR vs TRUECALLER INTERNATIONAL LLP).
In Aug/Sep 2024, the Indian regulatory body TRAI started [https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_No.61of2024.pdf cracking down] on tele spammers. They instructed telecom providers to terminate all telecom resources of unregistered tele marketers (UTMs). This enforcement started in late August and is leading to a massive [https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/trais-crackdown-on-pesky-calls-telcos-block-2-75-lakh-telephone-numbers-50-firms/articleshow/113029744.cms?from=mdr termination of spamming numbers] and blacklisting their companies so that they cannot get any phone numbers from any other providers for 2 years. If this is (even partially) successful in disconnecting the top spamming companies, it may lead to a massive reduction in spam calls and thus reducing the number of ads shown by Truecaller.
== Security and privacy issues ==
On 17 July 2013,
Truecaller uploads users' stored contacts to their servers to form a database of phone numbers.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Cyanogen Taps Truecaller in Effort to Build a Better Mobile OS {{!}} Mobile {{!}} LinuxInsider|url = http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/82036.html|website = www.linuxinsider.com| date=8 May 2015 |access-date = 2016-01-20|quote = The Truecaller app uploads contacts without giving users a chance a chance to filter out sensitive numbers or names, noted Jimmy Shah, senior director of research at Zimperium.|archive-date = 11 June 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160611095154/http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/82036.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = How Truecaller Finds Numbers {{!}} How to Remove Your Number from Truecaller|url = http://www.pallab.net/2013/08/27/how-truecaller-finds-numbers/|website = Pallab dot Net|access-date = 2016-01-20|first = Pallab|last = De|quote = Truecaller is a collaborative phone directory that uploads the entire phone book of the user to its database.|archive-date = 20 February 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200220220451/http://www.pallab.net/2013/08/27/how-truecaller-finds-numbers/|url-status = live}}</ref> This may violate GDPR and similar regulations in multiple countries.
Truecaller also tracks phone calls made by non users to users (and vice versa) and hence collects information about those non users in detail. These non users dont have a way to stop this data collection.
In November 2019, [[Indian people|India]]-based [[Security hacker|security researcher]] Ehraz Ahmed discovered a security flaw that exposed user data as well as system and location information.
Multiple times in 2020 and 2021, there were [https://cyble.com/blog/47-5-million-indian-truecaller-records-on-sale-for-only-1000/ reports] about a massive Truecaller database leak on the internet. The reports surfaced again in [https://cybersecuritynews.com/truecaller-data-leak-273-million-users/ 2024]. The leaked database has information regarding users' (and non-users') phone numbers, names, phone carrier, tags, email addresses, etc.
== Controversies ==
Truecaller has been repeatedly [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qTZxE464z4&t=450s displaying a "truncated" map of India] where certain parts of Kashmir are shown as being in Pakistan and China. This is illegal under Indian law and could land the company in legal trouble.
Truecaller assigns a "verified" badge when it is certain that the person on Truecaller is who he/she claims to be. However, it has been found that this is easily gamed and [https://x.com/bharathmohan94/status/1817914073385742531 several scammers] have obtained this badge.
▲In November 2019, [[Indian people|India]]-based [[Security hacker|security researcher]] Ehraz Ahmed discovered a security flaw that exposed user data as well as system and location information. TrueCaller confirmed this information and the bug was immediately fixed.<ref name="Researcher Discovered A Critical Security Flaw In The Truecaller App">{{cite web |title=Researcher Discovered A Critical Security Flaw In The Truecaller App |url=https://in.mashable.com/tech/8839/researcher-discovered-a-critical-security-flaw-in-the-truecaller-app |website=Mashable India |date=26 November 2019 |access-date=28 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="Security Flaw In Android, iOS Phone App: ‘Immediate Fix’ For 150 Million Users">{{cite web |title=Security Flaw In Android, iOS Phone App: 'Immediate Fix' For 150 Million Users |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2019/11/24/critical-flaw-in-android-ios-phone-app-left-150-million-users-at-risk/#52223e221ec0 |website=Forbes |access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[CallApp]]
* [[RealCall]]
== References ==
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[[Category:Windows Phone software]]
[[Category:Caller ID]]
[[Category:Anti-spam]]
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