Caller identification platform Truecaller has introduced a new family protection feature that allows users to monitor potential scam calls received by their loved ones—and even remotely end those calls if they suspect fraud.
The feature is designed to help prevent phone scams, particularly for elderly or less tech-savvy users who may be more vulnerable to fraud.
Family Admin Can Monitor Fraud Calls
The new feature allows one person to act as the admin of a family group of up to five members. Once members join the group, the admin receives alerts whenever the system detects a potentially fraudulent call targeting one of the members.
If the admin believes the call could be dangerous or a scam, they can remotely end the call to protect the user. However, the call-ending feature currently works only for Android devices, although fraud alerts are available for both Android and iOS users.
The feature was initially launched in December in several countries including Sweden, Chile, Malaysia, and Kenya. After seeing positive results, Truecaller has now expanded the feature globally, including in India, which is the company’s largest market.
Importantly, the feature is free to use, even for users who are not subscribed to Truecaller’s premium plan.
Additional Monitoring Tools for Android Users
For Android users, the feature offers additional optional permissions that allow the group admin to monitor certain device conditions. These include:
- Whether a member is walking or driving
- Phone battery level
- Sound settings such as silent mode
These details help the admin understand when it’s appropriate to call or contact a family member, especially elderly relatives.
Admins can also block suspicious numbers or international calling codes and share a blocklist with all group members.
However, Truecaller clarified that the admin cannot access personal call history or SMS messages that are not marked as spam.
AI Could Soon Help Detect Scam Calls
According to Kunal Dua, Chief Product Officer at Truecaller, fraud prevention has become a major focus for the company as phone scams continue to affect millions of users.
Truecaller is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance family protection features. Future AI systems could potentially analyze calls and notify admins about the type of scam being attempted.
The company is also experimenting with AI that could automatically disconnect calls if it detects suspicious phrases commonly used in scams—such as “digital arrest,” a tactic where scammers pretend to be law enforcement officials to intimidate victims into sending money or sharing personal information.
Rising Scam Calls in India
Phone scams remain a growing issue in India. Truecaller reported identifying over 7.7 billion fraud calls last year in the country alone.
To address the problem, Indian authorities have launched several initiatives, including the Caller Name Presentation system (CNAP), which shows the caller’s name as registered with telecom providers.
Truecaller’s CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala said that while CNAP may influence the caller identification ecosystem, the company believes its platform offers more advanced protection features beyond simply displaying caller names.
Challenges for Truecaller
Despite its large user base of more than 450 million users worldwide, Truecaller has recently faced business challenges.
The company’s stock has fallen significantly over the past year, and its Q4 2025 report showed a decline in operating profitability, with advertising revenue dropping notably.
Still, Truecaller continues to invest in new features and AI-driven tools to maintain its position as one of the leading caller identification and spam protection platforms globally.
