The Government of India’s official agency TRAI has been working on a caller ID System similar to the Truecaller App for India. TRAI is all set to roll out this new caller ID System in the country in the next 3 weeks. The system will use KYC verification to ensure the identity of callers is genuine and cannot be manipulated.
The Caller ID System will also explore new regulation keeping in view the “scenario of multiple screens, same content,” PD Vaghela, Chairperson of TRAI said on Wednesday. The Caller ID System is being launched as the government’s replacement for the Truecaller app. The next service is expected to be rolled out in the next 2-3 weeks. Vaghela added that the regulatory and legal framework needs to keep pace with new developments to ensure not only the smooth adoption of the new technologies but also the protection of state and consumer interests.
“TRAI has conducted several stakeholder consultations to iron out the issues”, quoted PD Vaghela. He also added that the new caller identity system will also explore the new regulation that respects the “scenario of multiple screens, same content”. The regulatory and legal framework needs to match the progress of new developments for a smooth adoption of new technologies and the protection of consumer interests.
This new app was first talked about in May when Truecaller was criticized for using crowdsourced data. A KYC compliant repository would minimise fraud and proxy calls. The chairperson claimed, that the mechanism will enable name-appearing on a phone-screen in accordance with KYC done by telecom companies as per DoT norms.
Although all the efforts are being made to make the system foolproof, but it is till possible to get a new mobile connection using someone else’s identity which could be a hindrance in ensuring transparency. The unamed called identity app will have a ripple effect as it would lead to clean-up of data on crowdsourcing apps with the help of KYC. KYC would also help in curbing spam and fraud calls.
