Truecaller CEO explains why spam calls keep rising, warns it’s not over yet — ‘It’s actually going to get worse’

Truecaller CEO Explains Why Spam Calls Are Rising and Warns of a Worse Future

Theindiapostdaily.com – Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala has shed light on the surge in spam calls in India, stating that the trend is not slowing down—it’s on the rise. The CEO emphasized that the increasing volume of spam calls is a result of recent regulatory changes, and he warned that this issue is far from over. With the proliferation of 140 and 1600 number prefixes, mobile users are now facing more unsolicited calls than ever before, according to the data shared by Truecaller.

TRAI’s Role in the Spam Call Surge

Under TRAI’s new guidelines, businesses are now required to use designated number series—140 for telemarketing and 1600 for BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) calls—to standardize communication. While this aims to reduce confusion, Jhunjhunwala pointed out that the same rules have inadvertently created a challenge. The directive also mandates that Truecaller conceal community-reported spam data for these numbers, leaving users without clear visibility into potential scams. “This policy has made it harder for people to identify spam calls,” he said in a recent post on X.

“Wondering why spam calls have increased significantly in India? It’s actually going to get worse,” Jhunjhunwala explained, highlighting how the lack of transparency has emboldened spammers. The CEO stressed that without the ability to flag spam numbers, users are left vulnerable to fraudulent activities that target their personal information and financial security.

Rising Unanswered Calls and User Trust Erosion

Since the implementation of TRAI’s rules, Truecaller has observed a dramatic rise in unanswered calls from the 140 and 1600 prefixes. Over 51 million such calls are now being ignored daily, a sharp increase from previous months. Jhunjhunwala noted that users are losing trust in these numbers, making them hesitant to answer calls even when they are from legitimate businesses. “People are no longer answering calls from these prefixes because they assume they are spam,” he explained, underscoring the impact on daily communication.

Manual Blocking and Its Growth

Truecaller’s data shows a threefold surge in manual blocking actions for the 1600 series since October 2025. In just eight months, over 74 million blocks were recorded, with users now blocking 400,000 calls from the 140 series and 125,000 from the 1600 series daily. This increase reflects a growing awareness among users about the risks of spam, even as regulatory measures limit their ability to identify it. “The more we see spam, the more users take action to block it,” Jhunjhunwala said, noting that the manual blocking trend is a sign of user frustration.

“We’re seeing a significant shift in how people interact with calls. The 1600 series, once a trusted prefix for financial services, is now associated with spam,” the CEO added. He highlighted that this change has led to a paradox: users are more cautious, yet spammers are exploiting the system with greater ease. Truecaller is working to bridge this gap by providing additional tools and insights to help users make informed decisions.

Truecaller’s Response to the Challenge

To adapt to TRAI’s restrictions, Truecaller has introduced a “Frequently Blocked” badge, which surfaces numbers that are commonly flagged by users without explicitly labeling them as spam. This approach allows the company to comply with the regulations while still offering some guidance to users. Jhunjhunwala acknowledged that this is a temporary solution, but he stressed its importance in maintaining user trust. “We surface this data but do not mark it as spam,” he explained, emphasizing the need for a balance between compliance and user protection.

The CEO also called for collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to address the growing spam issue. Truecaller is sharing its data with MeitY to help shape future policies that can better protect users. “We find this unacceptable. It would give bad actors an open playground to scam users, especially the elderly,” he said, highlighting the vulnerability of certain demographics to fraudulent calls.

Future Outlook and Industry Impact

As spam calls continue to rise, Jhunjhunwala warned that the problem could escalate further if regulatory measures remain unchanged. The proposed changes, which would limit caller ID apps from displaying any information on 140/1600 numbers, could have a severe impact on user awareness. “This makes no sense,” he said, arguing that such restrictions would allow scammers to operate without scrutiny. The CEO’s concerns reflect a broader industry challenge, where businesses and users must navigate a complex landscape of spam.

Truecaller’s experience underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach to combat spam. While TRAI’s regulations aim to streamline communication, they have also created an environment where spammers can thrive. Jhunjhunwala’s insights provide a critical perspective on how regulatory decisions can inadvertently affect consumer trust and the effectiveness of anti-spam tools. As the situation evolves, the company remains committed to supporting users with innovative solutions and transparent data sharing.