In the age of online stalking and data mining, is using Truecaller truly safe?
If you are a self-confessed smartphone junkie who is online 24X7, then you are more than likely to have used ‘Truecaller’ at least once during your lifetime.
The little programme, which is arguably the world’s largest publicly searchable telephone book, identifies a majority of unknown numbers coming to your phone. In a perfect world, it means there would be no more anonymous calls.
So how does Truecaller really work? Once you register for the service, you give it permission to copy your phone’s entire contact list (including names and numbers) and load it into their servers. It will then be possible for other people to look you up.
However, a downside is that spam callers and data miners can easily access your name and phone number. Once they have access to such details, they can make use of internet calling cards to anonymously harass users.
But don’t worry, there is a way to unlist your phone number from Truecaller directory. Just click here and follow instructions: http://www.truecaller.com/unlist
But then, you will no longer be able to use Truecaller and you will have to deactivate your account first.
So Truecaller treads a really thin line between privacy and usefulness. It’s now up to you to choose which way you want to go. More power to you!
To add to my earlier points, note that if you give access to your camera and microphone... if that app is scheduled for auto recording based on some conditions, it will start doing that without your notice and transmit the same as soon as you get online. And if you are always online, its further more easier for the one intending to enter your privacy to initiate that... because you already allowed that!
To give an example, when we use apps like skype of whatsapp... just by one touch the camera and mic starts without any further agreement from you because you have granted prior permission to it and it starts based on an event. Similarly, triggering that event from inside the system is further more easier in the background.
Tip: At times check the running apps from your settings. You will be surprised to see so many processes running in parallel which you wouldn't know why and how it started!
BTW, Its the same with most of the free app one downloads. We accept their usage conditions without even reading a word. Depending of what you accept, you give access to everything. Imagine, you give access to your phone camera, microphone, messages (email/sms), application usage stats, etc. So they use all that for their advertisement, marketing and other benefits.
Now regarding the truecaller... by just deactivating your account, you get safer only for the new contacts going forward, but what you have already given to them is already theirs!
Be very careful about what app you download/click/agree, ensure you read and understand before you give permission.
Everything is recorded! Its a scary world now!
Thanks alot for doing deep research before writing this article, im really concerned about my privacy, i just deactivated it fully.
and cry for privacy. I personally use true caller but strictly no access to my contacts, messages or any personal data.
Sportacus: This is the problem. People are all too willing to share very personal data online and to third parties who can then misuse it or sell it on to others without their knowledge or consent....
You'll be surprised to know how many people actually do, Brit!
Why would I want to give my complete list of numbers to a third party site ?