Caller ID and spam screening platform Truecaller says that it is willing to change its app in South Africa to comply with local privacy laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to MyBroadband, the group said it is currently working with the South African Information Regulator on its investigation into the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The regulator is investigating the app following complaints from both companies and individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The app is primarily used to identify callers, but this has led to accusations that the platform violates South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The system has proven wildly popular in South Africa because it warns users when they may be getting a call from a spammer or scammer who obtained their number unlawfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it could also be infringing on the rights of legitimate businesses, which must be allowed to contact clients who have agreed to let them do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The source of the problem is Truecaller\u2019s crowdsourcing mechanism for flagging spam, which is open to abuse by malicious users or competing businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complicating matters, the platform also charges businesses a monthly fee to have their number whitelisted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has drawn allegations that the platform damages reputations through spam labels and then charges a fee to be cleared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truecaller has rejected the allegations, noting that businesses subscribing to its enterprise plans aren\u2019t immune from spam labels provided by users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, the Information Regulator is investigating Truecaller\u2019s practices against the eight conditions set out in the country’s privacy laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes informing people how their data will be used, ensuring the data is used securely, and not using more personal information than is necessary for the stated purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truecaller said it has provided a comprehensive response to the investigation and has expressed willingness to meet the regulator halfway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top executive for Truecaller in South Africa, Mmathebe Zvobwo, told MyBroadband that the group was \u201c100% open\u201d to making changes to its app if requested to ensure compliance with POPIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe would be open to making any change that makes sense, and we obviously are open to debating and having a conversation about it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One potential change involves \u201cenhanced search,\u201d a feature Truecaller has already removed in other major markets, like India, to align with local regulatory preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In South Africa, the feature affects only approximately 5% of users, primarily those who access the service via the Truecaller website rather than the mobile app, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding how it processes user data, Zvobwo said that the platform knows less than many people think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service primarily knows a user\u2019s phone number, the device they are using, and their name or email address, if they choose to provide those details during signup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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