You and I know that a simple phone call is no longer as innocent as it once was. With the rise of spam calls, fraud, and identity scams, it has become essential to know who is calling before answering. This is why caller identification services have become so popular, and no company has capitalised on this need better than Truecaller.
Rishit Jhunjhunwala, the CEO of Truecaller, recently announced that the app has surpassed 450 million users worldwide, with its fastest-growing markets now in Africa and Latin America. In Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, Truecaller is experiencing rapid adoption as users seek ways to avoid scam calls, robocalls, and unwanted spam messages.
Nevertheless, this rapid expansion raises an important question: Why are telecom companies in African countries not providing this service themselves? Should caller ID services be governed by independent apps like Truecaller or by regulated telecom providers?
Why Truecaller is Growing Fast in Africa and Emerging Markets
At its core, Truecaller solves a problem that many smartphone users face daily: unknown and unwanted calls. In Nigeria, we experience this issue daily, particularly with the widespread problem of telecom fraud. This includes deceptive calls that promise fake prizes, impersonation scams targeting bank accounts, and fraudulent offers for airtime and data. Below are some key reasons why Truecaller is gaining traction so quickly in Nigeria and other emerging markets:
1. Spam Calls and Scam Prevention
Nigeria, like many other African nations, has seen a surge in fraudulent calls and SMS scams. From fake bank alerts to impersonation scams, millions of people receive suspicious calls every day. Truecaller helps users instantly identify and block spam calls, protecting them from potential fraud.
2. Lack of Reliable Telecom Caller ID Services
Unlike in the U.S. or Europe, where telecom providers often offer built-in caller ID services, many African and Latin American countries lack reliable and transparent caller identification systems. Truecaller fills this gap, giving users information about unknown numbers in real-time.
3. Word-of-Mouth Growth
Unlike traditional apps that rely on advertising, Truecaller spreads organically. Once one person installs it and warns friends or family about spam numbers, others quickly adopt it. This viral growth has made it a household name in regions where spam calls are a major nuisance.
4. Dual Role as a Communication Tool
Beyond caller ID, Truecaller has expanded its features to include AI-powered call screening, message filtering, and even chat services. This makes it more than just a security app—it’s evolving into a full communication platform that users find useful beyond blocking spam.
Who Should Control Caller Identification? Truecaller vs. Telecom Providers
Despite its popularity, Truecaller’s dominance in caller ID raises concerns. Should a private company have so much control over who gets to be identified on a phone call? Some argue that telecom providers, rather than independent apps, should be responsible for caller identification.
Why Some Believe Telecom Providers Should Control Caller ID
- Official Databases & Security – Telecom operators own phone number databases and can provide more accurate and verified caller ID services compared to third-party apps.
- Regulation & Accountability – Mobile networks are regulated by governments, making them more accountable for protecting users’ data and privacy.
- Eliminating Dependence on External Apps – If telecom providers implement their caller ID services, people won’t need to rely on apps that may have privacy concerns or display inaccurate information.
Why Truecaller Remains the Preferred Choice
On the other hand, many argue that telecom companies have had years to implement proper caller ID services but failed, allowing apps like Truecaller to take over. Some key points in Truecaller’s favour include:
- Faster & More Efficient Innovation – Unlike slow-moving telecom companies, Truecaller constantly updates and improves its features, including AI-driven fraud detection.
- Cross-Network Compatibility – Telecom providers only serve their customers, whereas Truecaller works across multiple networks and countries without restrictions.
- Community-Driven Spam Blocking – Truecaller uses a crowdsourced database, where users report scam numbers, making its spam detection more dynamic and responsive.
Will Truecaller Keep Dominating, or Will Telecoms Fight Back?
Interestingly, some governments and telecom regulators are beginning to challenge Truecaller’s dominance. According to a report by Business Standard, India’s Department of Telecommunications is developing its caller ID system to compete with Truecaller. If this model gains traction, we may see regulators in Africa and Latin America encouraging telecom companies to provide government-backed caller ID services.
For now, though, Truecaller remains the undisputed leader in the caller ID space. Until telecom providers step up with a better alternative, millions of people will continue to rely on apps like Truecaller to protect themselves from unwanted and fraudulent calls.
Final Thoughts: A Question of Trust
At the heart of this debate is a simple question: Who do you trust more with your phone security—private tech companies like Truecaller, or telecom providers regulated by the government?
- If telecom providers finally invest in reliable, privacy-focused caller ID solutions, users may not need apps like Truecaller in the future.
- If Truecaller continues to innovate faster and offer better features, it will likely maintain its dominance, even in the face of telecom competition.
For now, Truecaller’s explosive growth in Africa and beyond proves one thing: people are desperate for protection against spam and fraud. Whether telecom providers or independent apps ultimately win this battle remains to be seen.
