The truth about True Caller App

Update: The database of Truecaller App were recently hacked, user phone numbers may have been accessed. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/truecaller-database-allegedly-hacked-millions-of-phone-records-stolen/407621-11.html

Like many of my friends, you too may have installed this immensely popular Android and iOS app. Everyone knows that it is an app that tells you the name of the person calling you even if that number is not saved in your phone book.However, what most people don’t know is HOW DOES TRUE CALLER get this information. 

Here's the truth about True Caller

When a user installs the True Caller app on his mobile phone, he knowingly or unknowingly allows True Caller app to scan and upload his entire phone book (directory) to the databases of True Caller.

Now, with so many users installing this app, True Caller has a huge directory where it matches the names with numbers and lets people know who owns what number. So when someone calls you, the calling number is searched on True Caller’s database and the name is returned to you.

Now, the main problem – To ensure that this app works, True caller will continuously need to add entries in its database. So it not only uploads your phonebook (directory), it also scans your contacts and friends from your social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN.

For unsuspecting users, this could be major privacy concern, especially when they themselves haven’t uploaded their numbers on the app, some of their contact or friend has uploaded it. Their personal mobile number is out in the public without their knowledge or consent. They can easily be victimized because anyone can get access to their numbers from True Caller’s website. And mobile phone numbers are surely not the first thing you want to be publicly accessible.

So if you want to get your number removed from the database of True Caller, click here > http://www.truecaller.com/unlist/

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, ssj414