TRAI to roll out caller ID system to rival Truecaller in 3 weeks

Source: The post is based on the article “TRAI to roll out caller ID system to rival Truecaller in 3 weeks” published in Livemint on 17th November 2022

What is the News?

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) is set to roll out its mobile phone caller identity system — verified by KYC (know your customer details) within the next three weeks.

The caller ID system will be pitched as the government’s replacement for the popular Swedish caller-identifying app – Truecaller. 

How will TRAI’s caller ID work?

TRAI has said that it will not enforce the caller ID feature on users without their permission. 

This feature will be a consent-based, voluntary programme. Users will have the authority to decide whether or not to have their names displayed which will help keep spam calls at bay. 

TRAI’s caller ID feature will rely on the KYC data that users share with their network providers to avail of their services. These data include ID proofs such as the Aadhaar card and the chances of inaccuracy are close to none. 

How will TRAI called ID be different from Truecaller?

Apps like Truecaller also help users to identify callers based on crowdsourced data. However, the upcoming TRAI mechanism is expected to bring more accuracy and transparency as it will allow users to identify callers according to their KYC (Know Your Customer).

How can this new feature be useful for users?

As per TRAI, its caller ID feature will help users to evade spam calls and phishing attacks. 

In 2021, Truecaller reported that India ranks fourth amongst all the countries that receive the most spammed calls.

There have also been numerous cases in the country where callers claim themselves to be from banks, insurance companies and other businesses and dupe mobile users to share sensitive banking and other personal information to commit financial frauds or identity thefts.