Truecaller App: Is Truecaller Stealing Your Personal Data? Know the Truth!

Truecaller App: In the current digital age, we all use smartphones, and our phones have many apps that make our lives easier. One of these apps is Truecaller, which helps us identify calls from unknown numbers. But have you ever wondered how safe this app is for you? A recent video analysis has brought to light some alarming information about Truecaller and other apps that you need to know.

What is Truecaller and How Does It Work?

Truecaller is a caller ID app that displays the caller’s name by checking its database. But the concern is that this app relies on user-created names and does not verify the caller’s identity. As a result, anyone can use a false identity to mislead you, such as posing as a police or CBI officer.

What are the Risks of Using Truecaller?

• Data Collection and Privacy Risks: Truecaller requests permission to access a lot of personal information from your phone, such as SMS, photos, videos, and other files. You can see what data this app collects in the app’s details on the Play Store.
• Hacking Risks and Dark Web Exposure: Truecaller has been hacked multiple times, and users’ personal information, like names and numbers, has been leaked on the dark web. This is not only risky for your contact information but can also lead to bigger dangers.
• The Problem of Blind Trust: Experts say that you should not blindly trust the names displayed on Truecaller, as anyone can create a misleading entry. The app relies on user complaints to identify spam calls, but it has no proper verification process.

Risks from Other Apps and Data Theft

It’s not just Truecaller; other apps like phone launchers and custom keyboard apps can also be risky for your personal information. These apps also request permission to access your SMS and other sensitive data. Many apps can access your phone’s microphone without your knowledge and track your usage patterns and behavior.

How to Stay Safe?

• Adopt a Zero-Trust Model: Do not blindly trust any app or link. Always verify any link or file from an unknown source before opening it.
• Check App Permissions: Before installing any app, carefully review the permissions it requests. Do not grant unnecessary permissions.
• Scan Apps: Use tools like “Movie Armor” to scan the apps and links on your phone.
• Be Aware: Organized criminals are filtering user data to target specific individuals with scams. Therefore, be cautious before answering any unknown calls or messages.

Finally, there can be risks at the hardware level as well. Recently, there was an incident where a mobile company used a single IMEI number for 22,000 phones, which is a major security flaw and could implicate innocent users in criminal activities. Therefore, we need to be more careful and aware when using apps, as our personal information can be easily stolen and used for fraudulent purposes.