Truecaller puts a face to inbound unknown phone numbers
bbc.com
bbc.com
If you visit their site and try to search your number to opt-out, you get a modal asking you to sign in with a Google or Microsoft account - no other options are provided. In miniscule font, an even smaller tooltip says "Sharing is caring, and in the Truecaller community we care about accurate results. By sharing your contacts with Truecaller, you will receive more accurate results and help improve the experience for millions of users around the world."
It's a tried and tested business model but I'm just not interested in doing data entry for someone else's silo for a marginal benefit to myself. Maybe I'm old-school but I'm fine with figuring out who is calling from an unknown number by simply answering and speaking with the caller.
One man's poison is another man's tea. As a US citizen without any EU data protections, I envy the EU data protection rules. I don't care if that ruin's your startup's model.
Fist time I hear it. Where?
Basically, an online phonebook, with reverse lookup, addresses, birthdays, neighborhood data, ...
As an American living in Europe, I was surprised to see all land-line and mobile numbers published in our local directory (I'm in Britain) which even included a reverse look-up index so you could scan tables of numbers and see the corresponding names! That disappeared a few years back but most of the numbers are still listed if you know the person's name.
I'm all for privacy but I think the fear of having your number posted is overrated unless you have an actual reason (stalker, abusive ex, etc...) in which case a free and easy way to totally opt-out should exist. I've had my phone numbers and email address publicly posted for years and while I get the occasional weirdo, it's totally worth it for the random interesting calls from strangers.
A 'lite' version of this app would be wonderful. Heck, I'd easily pay a dollar or two or three for something that blocked telemarketers and gave me better callerID. I imagine Truecaller's free pricepoint is killing it. They just need to do so many shady things to make money. I'd rather just pay them outright and not feel my phone hijacked.
Also, no service seems to be able to cut out scammers using cheap international voip and impersonating domestic numbers via callerid. I suspect there's no stopping this without some heavy handed regulation with voip providers. Truecaller wasn't able to identify or block these. They always came up as unknown. The scammers can simply cycle through fake callerid numbers endlessly it seems. It was amsuing to get the occasional 555-555-xxxx number. I don't think the foreigner scammers who watch Holywood movies for clues into how American culture works realized that these prefixes aren't real.
They really should provide a "Is my number listed?" search (and maybe a "Who do I blame if it is?"). Also, they should probably add some verification you own the number I guess, since I was able to delist my wife's without question.
The no questions asked de-listing is a good thing though, easy in and easy out. Like one click unsubscribe for email.
EDIT: It seems that they added Google and Outlook account login now, but they also require all your contacts.
I found this particularly absurd paragraph in their privacy policy[1]:
> Where the Truecaller Apps are obtained from other sources than Apple App Store or Google Play, You may share the names, numbers and email addresses contained in Your device’s address book (“Contact Information”) with Truecaller for the purpose described below under Enhanced Search. If you provide us with personal information about someone else, you confirm that they are aware that You have provided their data and that they consent to our processing of their data according to our Privacy Policy.
So by using the app you not only provide your entire contact database, but you're saying all your contacts are aware of it and they've agreed to the policy. I guess before you install it you have to call up everyone you know and ask if it's okay. It applies to new contacts too - getting a girl's phone number might be a bit awkward now that you have to ask if she accepts the privacy policy for a smartphone app you use.
Of course, it only applies if you don't get the app from the App Store/Google Play - because both of those ban this behavior. However if the app comes pre-installed with your phone, this policy could easily be baked into the terms you agree to during setup.
[1]: http://www.truecaller.com/privacy-policy
Edit: I actually didn't find anything in their privacy policy specifically referring to the web-based search on truecaller.com. Since their policy only mentions not harvesting your contact info if you use the App Store or Google Play, I have to assume the worst - especially since I can't think of any other reason why the web search would need full contact access.
Google top results are littered with supposed answers to this question but are all just SEO tricks without any good info.
I've tried Truecaller several times and it didn't really do what I want (on iPhone).
This might not work for unlisted telemarketers. To catch those numbers, perhaps Google could anonymously collect Android users' phone blocklists. That does not have quite the same privacy concerns as sharing your entire contacts list with Google. This is the phone number version of Gmail's spam filter.
I hope that doesn't mean it has unrestricted access to my contact list.
I have different approach to instant communication. Yes, some people complain, as I live overseas, mostly my parents. Others used to it. I don't want to be contacted by anyone who has my phone number any time THEY WANT TO CONTACT ME, so I see no need for them to have my phone all the times. I keep my number updated for some people, I didn't talk with friends from high school for last 2 years, but I send them text from my new number when I change it, some people deserve it, some don't. 3/4 of the day my phone is in offline mode, because I use it only to listen to music and as alarm clock. I never need to topup for more than £10 per 3months. Give it a try :)
No, really, why would my bank want to call or text me? I log-in every 2-3 days to my online account where I have statements, I get everything in PDFs, sometimes they sent me emails when I withdraw too much. I also see no point in them sending me paper statements, so I opt-out from letters (they have my home address!)
My bank texts me when they suspect a credit card purchase might be fraudulent.
[1] The 'predictive' bit comes from the computer using a bit of intelligence to guess when an operative is going to finish their current call and dialling more/less numbers so there's minimal free time in the call centre. Clever tech but absolutely horrible if your job is anything to do with making calls all day.
For some reason I would get multiple calls a week (sometimes multiple per day) from "Walgreens" telling me my prescription is ready - not sure if it's a scam for personal/medical/insurance info or if someone somewhere mistakenly entered my number. Leaning towards scam - called Walgreens and asked they delist me, they said they didn't know anything about it. And at first it was a listed number, then after I blocked that it started being unlisted, then I finally just blocked all unlisted callers. It only started after I opened a Bank of America card, and they're rather notorious for selling their customer info, so I have my suspicions there.
For some reason Android 4.4 doesn't have the capability to block unlisted numbers, so Mr Number is fantastic for adding this back in.
Best way to filter calls during the meeting - don't pickup the phone and let caller to leave voicemail. At a first hint of a spammer - just block the number.
Done.
Bad move truecaller and very rude.
Still, it's immensely valuable.
just don't pick up the phone.
what is compelling you to pick up an unknown call? do you think you're going to win the lottery or something?
there is some insanity in the human condition that compels people to pick up their phone. i have rejected that shit entirely. i get a dozen calls a day, the fuck am i supposed to do, pick up every one?
try it, it works.