Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,205,501 members, 7,992,738 topics. Date: Sunday, 03 November 2024 at 03:14 PM

With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? - Phones (2) - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Science/Technology / Phones / With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? (15053 Views)

Who Else Noticed This About True Caller / How To Block Incoming Call Without Notifying The Caller / True Caller: Am I Safe (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (Reply) (Go Down)

Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by gentlezypher: 7:43am On Mar 27, 2018
wetin concern my symbian phone with truecaller
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Talkingboy: 7:52am On Mar 27, 2018
I don't even use the nonsense app.
I abhor it like kilode
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by vpaymoney(m): 7:58am On Mar 27, 2018
If you are a genuine person you shouldn't have any problem with trucaller. If any number call me and the name doesn't TALLY in my two Identity apps. I will never pick the call. So on my own side here, it really protect me and my privacy.
If you need privacy, don't use phone.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Pesuzok(m): 8:00am On Mar 27, 2018
Ipfreely:
In addition, if you'd like to run a search via Truecaller but you're not comfortable with your contacts being uploaded to their servers, then there are a couple of workarounds:

-Use Truecaller via a web browser. Don't install the Truecaller app. That limits its access to your locally stored data.

-Always uncheck the Enhanced Search box. This ensures that your contacts are never uploaded.

So if we all do this, how will truecaller be effective?
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Lexusgs430: 8:01am On Mar 27, 2018
Privacy or not........ I don't care, I dash them .... Nothing to hide, nothing to fear.....
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 8:02am On Mar 27, 2018
vpaymoney:
If you are a genuine person you shouldn't have any problem with trucaller. If any number call me and the name doesn't TALLY in my two Identity apps. I will never pick the call. So on my own side here, it really protect me and my privacy.
If you need privacy, don't use phone.

That's your prerogative and your choice. But what about the unsuspecting contacts on your contact list whose contact and other information gets uploaded to their servers without their permission? They don't get a say in the matter? Their own privacy doesn't deserve to be protected as well?
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 8:03am On Mar 27, 2018
Pesuzok:


So if we all do this, how will truecaller be effective?

I'm not certain what your question is, but if you're asking how Truecaller would be effective if users didn't accept to have other people's information sent to a third party who actually sells that information to other parties, then I think the answer's plain as day.

It wouldn't.

But because millions of users don't think about the apps they install and the permissions they give these apps, Truecaller will continue to grow.

This is Data Mining on steroids.

https://m.businesstoday.in/story/truecaller-database-hacked-confirmed-investigation-on/1/197016.html

1 Like

Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by EmmaOA(m): 8:04am On Mar 27, 2018
With the way things are going in this world sef, when Jesus will come ( I mean rapture), there will be no privacy ie there will be no Wea to hide

#Repent
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Realcash224(m): 8:09am On Mar 27, 2018
Am to deliver a job to a client in Abuja, we discuss on phone and she sent me her address. So i keep on calling her untill i get to her place. am not surprised, she has already know my name without anyone informed her.but guess what? After we have finalised the bussiness, She ask me, is your name realy Ole (thief)? i said No my name is Ola! not Ole(thief). Immediatly i realised some one who store my name through truecaller must have done a great damage to my name by writte Ole instead Ola. This force me to download the app and re-writte my name correctly. Lesson for everyone!

1 Like

Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by BENARI: 8:12am On Mar 27, 2018
henrygale:
Good info.
However, all these apps has a way of being a step ahead of them.
For truecaller, if you don't want anyone to be able to trace your identity using truecaller, just register on true caller with a name that is anonymous.......simple.
I did it and it worked for me.
When I realised that true caller was divulging my identity, I just registered on true caller with a strange name with my number, and that stopped my real name popping up whenever it is searched on true caller or people with true caller apps on their phones calls my line.
Try this and thank me.later.

Depending on what you do for a living, a lot of potential customers this day will have no business dealings with you if true Caller says your name is "X" and it turns out your true name is "Y". I have seen it happen countless times.

I for feel more comfortable when I speak with a stranger whose name matches his true Caller identity, else I'm usually very sceptical.

The technology has its downside though just like most manmade this I know, but it's the new normal(technology), embraces it with its folly or get left behind.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 8:13am On Mar 27, 2018
Realcash224:
Am to deliver a job to a client in Abuja, we discuss on phone and she sent me her address. So i keep on calling her untill i get to her place. am not surprised, she has already know my name without anyone informed her.but guess what? After we have finalised the bussiness, She ask me, is your name realy Ole (thief)? i said No my name is Ola! not Ole(thief). Immediatly i realised some one who store my name through truecaller must have done a great damage to my name by writte Ole instead Ola. This force me to download the app and re-writte my name correctly. Lesson for everyone!

Real consequences of our often ill informed online choices.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 8:16am On Mar 27, 2018
BENARI:


Depending on what you do for a living, a lot of potential customers this day will have no business dealings with you if true Caller says your name is "X" and it turns out your true name is "Y". I have seen it happen countless times.

I for feel more comfortable when I speak with a stranger whose name matches his true Caller identity, else I'm usually very sceptical.

The technology has its downside though just like most manmade this I know, but it's the new normal(technology), embraces it with its folly or get left behind.

The idea isn't new. Reverse phone lookups have been around since the internet was developed.

The data harvesting on such a grand scale is what's relatively recent.

Unlisting is the smarter and more effective alternative. Getting the number saved with a different name may seem clever but is potentially damaging.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by obailala(m): 8:19am On Mar 27, 2018
henrygale:
Good info.
However, all these apps has a way of being a step ahead of them.
For truecaller, if you don't want anyone to be able to trace your identity using truecaller, just register on true caller with a name that is anonymous.......simple.
I did it and it worked for me.
When I realised that true caller was divulging my identity, I just registered on true caller with a strange name with my number, and that stopped my real name popping up whenever it is searched on true caller or people with true caller apps on their phones calls my line.
Try this and thank me.later.
This has always been the solution to the problem. I did this at some point but later reverted to my real name cos I didnt really see any reason why I should hide my identity.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by olayinkajnr(m): 8:21am On Mar 27, 2018
Now, if someone calls you(A), and no name is reflecting on your phone, cos you did not save the person’s phone number, then use the true caller search. Once the person’s(B) number is saved on another person’s phone(C), who uses a true caller app, the name that person(C) saves the number(B) with, will reflect on your(A) phone. lo! And behold, you know who is calling you.

@the bolded OP, doesn't always work that way. I've got over 200 people save my contact on their phone and majority of them used Truecaller. But the fact is no matter what you do, if you search my number of Truecaller, you won't see my number on it.

Why? I've delisted my number from Truecaller so no matter what, no one can get the identity of my number.

And secondly, no matter good job the app does, I don't trust it with my data. Which was why I deregistered and delisted my numbers from it. Abi anyone wanna try to search my number?
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by IdeyFindWife: 8:26am On Mar 27, 2018
henrygale:
Good info.
However, all these apps has a way of being a step ahead of them.
For truecaller, if you don't want anyone to be able to trace your identity using truecaller, just register on true caller with a name that is anonymous.......simple.
I did it and it worked for me.
When I realised that true caller was divulging my identity, I just registered on true caller with a strange name with my number, and that stopped my real name popping up whenever it is searched on true caller or people with true caller apps on their phones calls my line.
Try this and thank me.later.

I also did that but I wonder if continuous updates and more upgraded interoperability features with other apps, services and data frameworks won't later void this?

I'm always pleasantly amused when my name comes up all wrong on TC.

But, I hope you know our concepts of absolute privacy is actually a myth?
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by gameboyo: 8:27am On Mar 27, 2018
Ipfreely:
To unlist any phone number from Truecaller, visit

https://www.truecaller.com/unlisting

Once unlisted it stays unlisted even if the number gets updated on their central database from another source.

Truecaller is a gross invasion of privacy. However reverse phone lookup has been around for eons. It's not exactly a new idea. Just far more effective and virulent.

Its access isn't limited to phone numbers. It extends to actual photos, facebook and other social media or indeed address and other information for all contacts stored in contact files.

https://amp.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/49c0q9/its_actually_impossible_to_unlist_the_phone/

https://m.businesstoday.in/story/truecaller-database-hacked-confirmed-investigation-on/1/197016.html
But u won't be able to use it again
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 8:28am On Mar 27, 2018
gameboyo:

But u won't be able to use it again

Read my second post.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by MossLuv: 8:33am On Mar 27, 2018
Is only criminal that should be worry about true caller. me am enjoying the services very well.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by FarahAideed: 8:35am On Mar 27, 2018
Papiikush:
I hate that app. I'll Never install it on my phone. Don't care about who is calling me

The problem is even if you dont install it you are not immune to it once just one of you friends installs it you are automatically in
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Iamsane: 8:44am On Mar 27, 2018
Olalan:
We have a choice, to use or not to,

That is not true with true caller.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Iamsane: 8:45am On Mar 27, 2018
MossLuv:
Is only criminal that should be worry about true caller. me am enjoying the services very well.

Ignorance is one the numerous disease you have. grin grin
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by bot101(m): 8:57am On Mar 27, 2018
BlackPenNG:

In the wake of spam calls and other vices that Nigerians face via telephone calls, and the most annoying ones of airtel or any other of the network providers, forwarding bot calls to customers, Nigerians have found the need to identify the number calling before they pick up. it has either sides though, but, most of the time, it had really served its function of identifying spammy calls.

How does True Caller work?

I will write a quick run of how True caller really works, if you are one of Nigerians that don’t really know how this app works and have not bothered to ask google.

True caller just like any other app has a backend server, where it stores all info the app gets from users. Have you ever wondered why it needs data connection to function, this is cos, every time you use the True caller search, it connects with its back-end server, and gets a corresponding reply to its query?

Once you are using the true caller app, it asks for access to your phonebook, right? Hurray, all your phone data is being uploaded to the app’s server, which reviewers have termed secure. Fine. Let’s go on

So, as much people that uses the true caller app, all the phone book data ends up in the true caller’s server where they are arranged according to the server’s algorithm. With this, the server has a wealth of data stored in it, all over the world. So, I think you now understand that for every true caller user, their data is being uploaded to a server. Good.
Now, if someone calls you(A), and no name is reflecting on your phone, cos you did not save the person’s phone number, then use the true caller search. Once the person’s(B) number is saved on another person’s phone(C), who uses a true caller app, the name that person(C) saves the number(B) with, will reflect on your(A) phone. lo! And behold, you know who is calling you.

Cool app, but there is a con to it. Identity is relative, and what it means is this, to some people, I am Black Pen, and they probably saved my number with that, to others, it is Oludamola. Let me give you a quick example, I called a friend and my name reflected as Snr(Senior) Damola. This is so cos, there was only one person I gave that number, prior to that time, my junior in secondary school (Cos it wasn’t my hotline), so that’s what she saved it with, and obviously, she uses true caller, so my name is in true caller’s server as Snr Damola.(Finally, I’m popular)
But, the main reason why I decided on writing on this stuff you would probably have checked on google if you ever got curious is, “Are we really safe?”

I don’t know if you are aware of the scandal with Facebook, where details of 50million Americans was used to manipulate the election that got Trump into power, in favour of Trump. If Facebook could have such a massive data breach, which other app would not.

Remember, there are numerous apps on our mobile that we grant various accesses to our data saved on our phone. Social media apps, utility apps etc. my big question is, are we really safe in the midst of all this. It would be surprising but it’s true that with this chunk of info we give to these apps, we are really an open book.

Don’t be surprised to know that many app companies know a lot about you, and with the use of Artificial intelligence, they will tell you thing you don’t even know about yourself, even a crush you don’t know about.

What do we do?

Now that our lives are an open book, what do we do? Well, if you have been following me all along hoping that I would provide a solution to your privacy, I’m sorry to disappoint you, cos there is really no tech way to do that, to use their apps, you have to grant access. But, here are some bulletpoints;

Be careful of the apps you download; The Facebook scandal I mentioned, the company involved only used info gotten by an app that used Facebook account as a log in means. 270,000 people downloaded the app in the US, but with the access to people’s account, they were able to access details of their friends and all, amounting to 50 million persons, and poof! Data was stolen.

Try not to log in with Facebook or google; this might sound difficult, but if you care about privacy, go through the pain of creating passwords and details for each apps you use. That will make you more private.

Never let go of hope; Yes, in this you are not alone, let’s just keep praying/hoping that the big digital tech companies that already have our information in the palm of their hands continue to keep it safe and not do anything dubious with it.

I know you might be a tech geek, enthusiast or learner, if you have an idea of how we could keep our privacy better from this apps and software, kindly use the comment box below and share it. or questions you might want to ask, as you see, I reckon that I’m an open book, so use the comment box too.

It’s the world we are now, digitals. Privacy is only to an extent, to stay connected with the rest of the world, you have to part with something, and that is your information. But don’t be scared, the email you drop on this blog for subscription doesn’t have access to your details, so, subscribe to get more updates from us

Here, I rest my pen.


Source: http://www.blackpenng.com/2018/03/with-true-caller-is-our-privacy-really.html

So long as we keep using computers, the only things relatively safe are those not on the computer.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by bot101(m): 9:02am On Mar 27, 2018
henrygale:
Good info.
However, all these apps has a way of being a step ahead of them.
For truecaller, if you don't want anyone to be able to trace your identity using truecaller, just register on true caller with a name that is anonymous.......simple.
I did it and it worked for me.
When I realised that true caller was divulging my identity, I just registered on true caller with a strange name with my number, and that stopped my real name popping up whenever it is searched on true caller or people with true caller apps on their phones calls my line.
Try this and thank me.later.

This stops other truecaller users from knowing your real name, but doesn't stop truecaller itself from knowing who you are. You see truecaller uploads your name and phone number to its servers exactly as you or someone else who saved your phone number with your real name uses truecaller. It only displays the one you choose because that's what you, who has first authority on what to call yourself chose to call yourself.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by henrygale(m): 9:49am On Mar 27, 2018
bot101:


This stops other truecaller users from knowing your real name, but doesn't stop truecaller itself from knowing who you are. You see truecaller uploads your name and phone number to its servers exactly as you or someone else who saved your phone number with your real name uses truecaller. It only displays the one you choose because that's what you, who has first authority on what to call yourself chose to call yourself.

Stopping any random user from knowing ur real identity is actually the aim.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by henrygale(m): 9:52am On Mar 27, 2018
BENARI:


Depending on what you do for a living, a lot of potential customers this day will have no business dealings with you if true Caller says your name is "X" and it turns out your true name is "Y". I have seen it happen countless times.

I for feel more comfortable when I speak with a stranger whose name matches his true Caller identity, else I'm usually very sceptical.

The technology has its downside though just like most manmade this I know, but it's the new normal(technology), embraces it with its folly or get left behind.

Yeah...I understand.
The same app can be explored by bad people to perpetrate evil. So, just know me for who I have introduced myself to be to you .....and there are other ways to get to find out ones real identity.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by airsaylongcon: 9:54am On Mar 27, 2018
henrygale:
Good info.
However, all these apps has a way of being a step ahead of them.
For truecaller, if you don't want anyone to be able to trace your identity using truecaller, just register on true caller with a name that is anonymous.......simple.
I did it and it worked for me.
When I realised that true caller was divulging my identity, I just registered on true caller with a strange name with my number, and that stopped my real name popping up whenever it is searched on true caller or people with true caller apps on their phones calls my line.
Try this and thank me.later.

To take this one step further, what I did was very similar to what you did. But I did it from a phone that had absolutely NO contacts. That way I protect my contacts privacy. If their number gets to truecaller I certain it's not from me
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by airsaylongcon: 10:00am On Mar 27, 2018
Ipfreely:


The idea isn't new. Reverse phone lookups have been around since the internet was developed.

The data harvesting on such a grand scale is what's relatively recent.

Unlisting is the smarter and more effective alternative. Getting the number saved with a different name may seem clever but is potentially damaging.

Does Unlisting really work? Tried it a few times and my name kept popping up
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 10:09am On Mar 27, 2018
airsaylongcon:


Does Unlisting really work? Tried it a few times and my name kept popping up

It does. Follow the instructions. If you've installed the app or you're logged into it elsewhere you'd need to logout or uninstall the app or limit its permissions on android.
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by thunderbabs: 10:14am On Mar 27, 2018
As a matter of fact, there's no such thing as privacy with truecaller.... It exposes ur yanch to the whole world.

Even as much as i tried to delete my numbers off that app, dey still dey see me
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by JuanDeDios: 10:45am On Mar 27, 2018
Ipfreely:
To unlist any phone number from Truecaller, visit

https://www.truecaller.com/unlisting

Once unlisted it stays unlisted even if the number gets updated on their central database from another source.

Truecaller is a gross invasion of privacy. However reverse phone lookup has been around for eons. It's not exactly a new idea. Just far more effective and virulent.

Its access isn't limited to phone numbers. It extends to actual photos, facebook and other social media or indeed address and other information for all contacts stored in contact files.

https://amp.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/49c0q9/its_actually_impossible_to_unlist_the_phone/

https://m.businesstoday.in/story/truecaller-database-hacked-confirmed-investigation-on/1/197016.html
"Below", but no field? Where exactly would you type the number in that image?
Re: With True Caller, Is Our Privacy Really Secure? by Ipfreely: 10:56am On Mar 27, 2018
JuanDeDios:

"Below", but no field? Where exactly would you type the number in that image?

cheesy grin

Visit the website via the Link. The photo was just an illustration.

(1) (2) (3) (Reply)

Mtn Blackberry Data Cap / How My Sim Card Got Fried By A Modem I Bought �� / How Long Does It Take For Retrieved Sim To Come Up

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 89
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.