4 ms·

True, but for edgecases with no alternative means of contact, there could be other simple solutions. In the articles instance, Chloe could in the future registe

True, but for edgecases with no alternative means of contact, there could be other simple solutions. In the articles instance, Chloe could in the future register that sim, and then immediately tag it as Chloe Sullivan on TrueCaller(or whatever app they use in the country in question). Problem solved. Ta-da. There are solutions other than proposing regulations or limitations on apps that benefit waay more people than it might inconvenience.

duxup 7y ago
I'm not convinced a single fake entery defeats the system here. The app claims to stop unwanted robo callers...I'm sure those robo callers already have tried your method to look like something else.
- RikNieu 7y ago
  Not sure how their system works, but I set my name on TrueCaller and that's how it displays to others. I suppose of all my friends changed my name on their apps to Bozo, it would default to Bozo then. Who knows.
- Piskvorrr 7y ago
  As a user of a different app, I see how many "user reviews" are there for the caller, by the rating (good/neutral/bad). For actual robocallers, the "bad" number is overwhelming, usually with a single "good" review - the spammers would need to flood the review system.
  - ambicapter 7y ago
    And if there's one thing that spammers are bad at, it's flooding systems with unwanted data...
shaftway 7y ago
So you're suggesting that it's a user's responsibility to proactively register their number with every single third party caller ID service that exists and ever will exist? And you consider that a "simple solution"? It does not seem unreasonable for a service like TrueCaller to notify people that user-generated information about them is being irrevocably added to a globally public repository.
- RikNieu 7y ago
  All I'm suggesting is that if a particular user is concerned about their safety, I would suggest they take steps to insure it. But if one wants to push for regulation to prevent the emergence of apps like TrueCaller, then perhaps we can start regulating robo-calls and sales calls more effectively? Then no one would need to install apps like TrueCaller in the first place.
  - shaftway 7y ago
    And I'm suggesting that your proposed solution isn't reasonable, or even discoverable for the majority of people. Clearly this person was concerned about their safety. And clearly they took steps to insure it. Arguing that the real problem is robo-calls is besides the point. It's like saying if people just drove safer we wouldn't have to have seatbelts. Or if I had bajillions of dollars we wouldn't have to have this discussion, because I'd be off on a beach somewhere. It's marginally related at best. But if that's the line you really want to take, TrueCaller could have a "That was spam" button, and if enough people click it then it could block the calls. The faux caller ID part doesn't need to be part of the service. Google Voice offers a somewhat similar service, but it flips the onus around. When enabled the caller has to identify themselves before the call can get through, and then the recipient can screen based on that. This approach is wildly more discoverable for the caller (who the information is attached to), and similarly filters out robo-calls.
- DarkWiiPlayer 7y ago
  > It does not seem unreasonable for a service like TrueCaller to notify people that user-generated information about them is being irrevocably added to a globally public repository. If they live in Europe, as far as I'm aware, they should actually also need the users consent if the information contains anything like a name (which it most likely does) and a way for users to have their personal data erased permanently. Maybe there's some exception why they don't need to do this; can someone provide some more info on this?
  - astura 7y ago
    This data is like Wikipedia. Does every Wikipedia entry about a person in Europe need that person's permission before it can be published? Can I make Wikipedia delete my Wikipedia page permanently with no way for anyone to ever to recreate it? What about a blog post? If a write about a friend of mine doing something on my blog, do I need my friend's written permission before I can post? I'm guessing that this answer is "no."
fredsted 7y ago
I'd suspect TrueCaller requires at least a few entries for a phone number before permanently labeling it.

duxup 7y ago

I'm not convinced a single fake entery defeats the system here. The app claims to stop unwanted robo callers...I'm sure those robo callers already have tried your method to look like something else.

RikNieu 7y ago
Not sure how their system works, but I set my name on TrueCaller and that's how it displays to others. I suppose of all my friends changed my name on their apps to Bozo, it would default to Bozo then. Who knows.
Piskvorrr 7y ago
As a user of a different app, I see how many "user reviews" are there for the caller, by the rating (good/neutral/bad). For actual robocallers, the "bad" number is overwhelming, usually with a single "good" review - the spammers would need to flood the review system.
- ambicapter 7y ago
  And if there's one thing that spammers are bad at, it's flooding systems with unwanted data...

shaftway 7y ago

So you're suggesting that it's a user's responsibility to proactively register their number with every single third party caller ID service that exists and ever will exist? And you consider that a "simple solution"? It does not seem unreasonable for a service like TrueCaller to notify people that user-generated information about them is being irrevocably added to a globally public repository.

RikNieu 7y ago
All I'm suggesting is that if a particular user is concerned about their safety, I would suggest they take steps to insure it. But if one wants to push for regulation to prevent the emergence of apps like TrueCaller, then perhaps we can start regulating robo-calls and sales calls more effectively? Then no one would need to install apps like TrueCaller in the first place.
- shaftway 7y ago
  And I'm suggesting that your proposed solution isn't reasonable, or even discoverable for the majority of people. Clearly this person was concerned about their safety. And clearly they took steps to insure it. Arguing that the real problem is robo-calls is besides the point. It's like saying if people just drove safer we wouldn't have to have seatbelts. Or if I had bajillions of dollars we wouldn't have to have this discussion, because I'd be off on a beach somewhere. It's marginally related at best. But if that's the line you really want to take, TrueCaller could have a "That was spam" button, and if enough people click it then it could block the calls. The faux caller ID part doesn't need to be part of the service. Google Voice offers a somewhat similar service, but it flips the onus around. When enabled the caller has to identify themselves before the call can get through, and then the recipient can screen based on that. This approach is wildly more discoverable for the caller (who the information is attached to), and similarly filters out robo-calls.
DarkWiiPlayer 7y ago
> It does not seem unreasonable for a service like TrueCaller to notify people that user-generated information about them is being irrevocably added to a globally public repository. If they live in Europe, as far as I'm aware, they should actually also need the users consent if the information contains anything like a name (which it most likely does) and a way for users to have their personal data erased permanently. Maybe there's some exception why they don't need to do this; can someone provide some more info on this?
- astura 7y ago
  This data is like Wikipedia. Does every Wikipedia entry about a person in Europe need that person's permission before it can be published? Can I make Wikipedia delete my Wikipedia page permanently with no way for anyone to ever to recreate it? What about a blog post? If a write about a friend of mine doing something on my blog, do I need my friend's written permission before I can post? I'm guessing that this answer is "no."

fredsted 7y ago

I'd suspect TrueCaller requires at least a few entries for a phone number before permanently labeling it.