Truecaller has recently launched an update exclusively for its premium Android users, significantly enhancing its spam protection capabilities.
The update, dubbed “Max,” employs AI to automatically block calls from numbers not recognized as contacts or flagged as potential spam by Truecaller’s algorithms. The “Max” feature marks a departure from Truecaller’s previous method of relying on a user-generated spam list and individual screening.
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By integrating AI, Truecaller aims to block any suspicious call automatically, potentially reducing the number of spam calls received by users. This update is a response to the increasing sophistication of spam callers and the growing demand for more effective spam protection solutions.
Android-Only Update
Due to Apple’s restrictions on call blocking and identification services, Truecaller has been unable to extend the “Max” update to iOS users. Apple’s policy limits the functionality of apps like Truecaller on its devices, confining iPhone users to a more basic version of the service that utilizes CallKit for caller identification without the advanced spam-blocking features available to Android users.
Amidst a challenging phase marked by a 4% decline in year-on-year revenue, totaling $41.52 million, the launch of the “Max” update emerges as a pivotal moment for Truecaller.
Furthermore, in India, Truecaller’s largest market, the telecom regulator has proposed a native caller ID service to combat spam, potentially challenging Truecaller’s dominance in the region. Currently, the proposal faces resistance due to concerns about privacy and technology; however, its implementation could directly challenge Truecaller’s market position.
With the “Max” feature, Truecaller aims to reduce the need for user intervention in managing spam calls. The app has historically provided users with a list of potential spam calls to block, including international, hidden, and unknown numbers not in the user’s contacts. The new AI-driven approach promises a more seamless experience by automatically blocking calls deemed as spam, with the system expected to improve over time as it processes more data.
Truecaller’s Confidence in AI
Truecaller’s venture into AI-powered call screening isn’t new; the app has previously offered an AI assistant for call screening purposes. The development of the “Max” feature involved extensive testing of numerous algorithms across Truecaller’s user base to refine the accuracy of spam detection. The company expresses high confidence in its AI’s ability to distinguish between spam and legitimate calls. However, it acknowledges that there might be occasional errors, which users can correct by unblocking falsely identified numbers.
Editorial credit: Sharaf Maksumov / Shutterstock.com
