Truecaller, the caller identification platform, has rolled out a new feature enabling one family member to remotely protect others from scam calls – even ending calls on their behalf. The feature, initially tested in select countries like Sweden and Malaysia, is now globally available, including in Truecaller’s largest market, India.
How It Works: Admin Control Over Family Calls
The system allows a designated “admin” to oversee a group of up to five family members. This admin receives alerts when other group members receive potentially fraudulent calls and can immediately disconnect those calls on Android devices. Beyond call termination, admins can monitor members’ real-time activity (walking, driving, battery level, silent mode) to ensure they’re reachable at safe times.
The feature is free for all Truecaller users, regardless of subscription status. Admins can also share blocklists to shield the entire group from known scam numbers and international calling codes. Crucially, Truecaller clarifies that admins cannot access call history or SMS logs of group members, preserving some level of privacy.
Rising Scam Calls Drive Innovation
This rollout comes as scam calls surge globally, particularly in India, where Truecaller identified over 7.7 billion fraudulent calls last year. The company’s Chief Product Officer, Kunal Dua, notes this feature represents a shift in Truecaller’s focus toward proactive family protection.
“All of us know somebody… who have been impacted by fraud,” Dua said. “It’s a fundamental shift for Truecaller in terms of what we’ve been focusing on as a problem.”
Truecaller is also exploring AI-powered call screening, aiming to automatically disconnect calls containing scam keywords like “digital arrest” (a common tactic used by impersonating law enforcement).
Business Challenges & Competition
Despite this innovation, Truecaller faces headwinds. The company’s stock has plummeted over 80% in the past year, with operating profitability down nearly 50%. India’s own Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) system – which displays registered caller names – poses a challenge.
Truecaller argues CNAP alone isn’t enough; its platform provides deeper protection through community-based spam reporting and now, direct intervention. CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala believes consumers can use both CNAP and Truecaller side-by-side, benefiting from the latter’s richer context and additional security layers.
The company’s survival depends on continuing to innovate and deliver value where government-led solutions fall short.
