Important note if you use the Truecaller app, especially businesses
If you use Truecaller, here's some important information to take note of.
South Africa's Information Regulator has confirmed that it is investigating recent complaints against Truecaller.
Has your business been flagged as spam on the app?
According to MyBroadband, it is believed that the app charges businesses to prevent their business numbers as 'spam'. The claim states that to be removed from the spam list, it will cost approximately R2.18 per call received.
It can be a tricky one because reporting phone numbers as spam is also dependent on us, the public. In all fairness, the Truecaller app has been a game-changer for many of us.
The issue seems to be the lines being blurry when it comes to South Africa's Protection of Private Information Act (POPIA).
With data being such a valuable currency in this day and age, the need to protect our personal information has become even more important.
This is also applicable due to the rise in scams and fraud in South Africa
Based on a 2024 study by TransUnion
https://newsroom.transunion.co.za/more-than-two-thirds-of-south-africans-said-they-were-recently-targeted-with-fraud/
, South Africa had the greatest percentage of respondents among countries surveyed in Africa, saying they fell victim to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the second half of 2024Legal experts warn Truecaller might be walking a tight rope under POPIA
- Data from your contacts: Truecaller has, in the past, encouraged users to upload whole address books to improve its caller database. This may include people who never signed up for the app.
- Consent confusion: Truecaller puts the onus on its users to get permission before sharing other people’s info. But privacy law considers Truecaller itself responsible for how data is collected—even if users do the uploading.
- No heads-up for affected people: Although Truecaller offers a way to “unlist” your number, most folks wouldn’t even know it’s in the database. Experts say the app should notify individuals, via SMS or email, that their number has been added, and explain how to unlist it.
Truecaller defends itself by emphasising that each user has the right to know who's calling them, stating that their policies respect privacy, whilst giving users helpful features like:
- editing your profile
- downloading your data
- opting out
READ: Spam callers are breaking the law with this call tactic
With the number of unwanted calls and telemarketing calls many South Africans face daily, Truecaller remains a handy tool.
So, here are a few tips when using the Truecaller app:
- Be selective when granting access to your contacts
- Know there’s a way to unlist your number (even if you didn’t sign up)
- Keep an eye on updates—especially if the Regulator decides to act
We are living in a world of SPAM! SPAM! SPAM! The rise of spam in the world has also led to a rise in fraud.
In South Africa, a significant portion of the population reports being targeted by fraud attempts, with a large percentage of those targeted also reporting actual losses.
Phishing, smishing, and third-party seller scams on legitimate retail websites are the most common tactics used by fraudsters.
LISTEN: Absa Executive sheds light on closure of ATMs in South Africa
Digital fraud attempts from South Africa are particularly high in the telecommunications sector.
It's difficult to avoid the number of phone calls, SMSes, and WhatsApps.
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