Aka Ekene, PBA Journalism Mentee
Truecaller, the Stockholm-based firm with over 38 million users, has introduced a new feature for iPhone users in called Live Caller ID. This premium feature allows users to see the identity of the caller on their phone screen when receiving a call from an unknown number. While the feature was already available for Android users, iPhone users must activate Siri and say “Hey Siri, Search Truecaller” to see the caller’s identity.
READ ALSO: Truecaller Launches Vastly Improved iOS App
Join our WhatsApp ChannelActivation of Live Caller ID on iPhone Devices Requires Premium Subscription
To use the Live Caller ID feature, iPhone users must have a premium subscription on the Truecaller app, which comes in two tiers in India: Premium and Gold Premium. The individual subscription for the Premium tier costs US$ 6.46 per year or US$ 2.18 for three months, while the Gold Premium tier costs US$ 61 per year.
Criticism of Truecaller’s Data Collection Practices
Truecaller has become one of the most popular apps among smartphone users, but the company has faced criticism in the past over the way it obtains data for its caller ID service. Last year, The Caravan, an Indian magazine, alleged that Truecaller’s data collection practices were “compromised of details which have been collected without consent.” Truecaller refuted the allegations, stating that the research was flawed and based on inaccurate information.
Limited Experience with iOS Devices Due to Apple’s Third-Party Caller ID App Regulations
According to Nakul Kabra, Truecaller’s product director for iOS, the app has had limited experience with iOS devices because of how Apple works with external third-party caller ID apps. Truecaller’s current call-identification framework is restricted to a finite set of numbers kept in directories in Apple’s CallKit framework and selected by Truecaller’s spam algorithm. Other numbers not saved locally must be found manually. To provide the planned live caller ID experience, the system makes use of Apple’s Siri Shortcuts and App Intents.
Activating the Live Caller ID Feature on iPhone Requires Users to Provide Consent
Before using the Live Caller ID feature on their iPhone devices, users must activate the Search Truecaller shortcut by selecting the Add to Siri option under the Premium menu. The first time the shortcut is used, the individual will be prompted to give consent for Truecaller to search the screenshots captured by the shortcut.
In conclusion, Truecaller’s Live Caller ID feature is a new addition for iPhone users that allows them to see the identity of an unknown caller on their phone screen. While the feature is already available for Android users, iPhone users must activate Siri to use it. However, it is a premium feature that requires users to have a subscription to the Truecaller app’s Premium or Gold Premium tiers. Despite criticism of the company’s data collection practices, Truecaller maintains its stance and continues to provide valuable services to millions of users worldwide. With the help of Apple’s Siri Shortcuts and App Intents, Truecaller has overcome limitations in providing the planned live caller ID experience on iOS devices, providing users with greater control over their incoming calls.
