Truecaller, a leading caller identification platform, has unveiled an innovative feature designed to enhance family safety against fraud calls. This new functionality allows a designated family admin to monitor and manage scam call alerts for group members, ensuring that loved ones are better protected from potential scams.
With a user base exceeding 450 million, Truecaller initially rolled out this feature in December across select countries, including Sweden, Chile, Malaysia, and Kenya. Following encouraging feedback, the company has now expanded its availability globally, with a significant focus on India, its largest market. The feature is accessible for free, allowing users to form groups regardless of whether they subscribe to a paid plan.
In this setup, a tech-savvy individual can take on the role of admin for a group of up to five members. Once the group is established, the admin receives alerts regarding potential fraudulent calls directed at other members. If a call raises suspicion, the admin has the capability to terminate it remotely. While alerts are available for both iOS and Android users, the call termination feature is currently limited to Android devices.
Additionally, Android users can grant the admin permission to access real-time data, such as whether they are walking or driving, their battery status, and sound settings, which can help the admin determine the best times to reach out to elderly family members.
The admin also has the authority to block specific numbers and international calling codes, further enhancing the group's protection. However, it's important to note that the admin cannot view the non-spam call history or SMS records of group members.
Kunal Dua, Truecaller's VP of Product, commented on the initiative, stating, "Unfortunately, many of us know someone who has been affected by fraud. This feature represents a significant shift in Truecaller's approach to tackling this issue."
Truecaller has previously introduced features like a voicemail service for Indian users, powered by AI, which captures calls when users are unavailable and summarizes the content. The company is also exploring AI technology to identify and disconnect calls containing scam-related keywords.
As scams continue to rise, particularly in India where over 7.7 billion fraudulent calls were identified last year, Truecaller's new feature aims to empower families with tools to safeguard one another. This proactive approach could significantly reshape how communities combat fraud in the digital age, fostering a safer communication environment.
