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Tag: Truecaller

  • Truecaller launches AI-powered platform ‘advantage’ that boosts smarter ad targeting

    Truecaller launches AI-powered platform ‘advantage’ that boosts smarter ad targeting

    MUMBAI: When AI meets communication, magic happens. Truecaller, the global communications platform, has unveiled advantage, an AI-powered recommendation engine designed to revolutionise how businesses engage users in high-attention moments.

    Built on a central intelligence hub that continuously learns from user interactions, adVantage tailors messages across business messaging, contextual advertising, and enterprise solutions. By analysing anonymised, aggregated data in real time, the platform delivers highly personalised, privacy-safe experiences for consumers while helping businesses optimise engagement and drive growth.

    “Relevance is the new currency,” said Truecaller global CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala. “advantage ensures businesses don’t just reach users, they understand them and provide value at every touchpoint. It’s central to our strategy of building scalable growth engines and redefining how businesses create impact.”

    The platform’s pilot phase showed impressive results: open rates jumped 400 per cent on Truecaller’s messaging platform, with up to a 50 per cent lift in click-through rates across high-intent sectors like automotive, fintech, edtech, and e-commerce. The framework reaches over 200 million users, transforming brand awareness into measurable outcomes.

    Advantage operates through three modules: Discover: Identifies new, relevant audience segments and expands visibility; engage: ee-targets users to boost mid-funnel performance and guide conversions; perform: optimises key business outcomes such as leads, app installs, and direct commerce automatically.

    “Truecaller advantage gives businesses a real edge,” said advantage lead  Liniker Seixas. “Multiple AI models continuously learn and optimise campaigns, ensuring every investment drives stronger results.”

    By harnessing Truecaller’s ecosystem, advantage empowers brands to reach the right audience, deepen engagement, and accelerate conversions, all while staying privacy compliant.

     

  • India’s internet lobby gets new chiefs to shepherd digital policy

    India’s internet lobby gets new chiefs to shepherd digital policy

    MUMBAI: India’s Internet and Mobile Association (IAMAI) has shuffled the deck at the top of its influential public policy committee, installing fresh leadership to guide the country’s booming digital sector through an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

    Amazon Web Services India & South Asia head of digital and AI policy  Saurabh Singh, has been elected chairperson of the committee that shapes industry positions on everything from data governance to consumer protection. He replaces Vineeta Dixit of Spotify, who had steered the group through a period of rapid regulatory change.

    Joining Singh as co-chairs are ride-hailing firm Rapido general counsel and head of corporate affairs & public policy Manasvi Mann, and Swedish caller-identification app Truecaller head of public affairs Seema Jindal. They take over from Senthil Kumar of agritech startup Ninjacart and Richa Mukherjee of fintech firm PayU.

    The reshuffle comes as India’s digital economy hurtles towards the government’s ambitious target of reaching $1trillion in value. The IAMAI committee serves as the industry’s primary voice in policy discussions with New Delhi, weighing in on thorny issues like data localisation rules, platform liability and digital competition.

    “Our focus will be on addressing critical digital policy matters that are relevant to our members whilst the ultimate goal would be to contribute to the national vision of building a $1 trillion digital economy,” Singh said following his appointment.

    The new leadership takes charge at a pivotal moment. India’s tech sector faces mounting scrutiny over market dominance, data privacy and content moderation—issues that will require deft navigation of both domestic political pressures and global regulatory trends.

    Jindal emphasised the need for industry-government collaboration to build “a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem” as India positions itself as a global digital leader. Her appointment brings telecoms expertise to a committee increasingly grappling with infrastructure and connectivity challenges.

    The leadership change reflects IAMAI’s evolution from a relatively niche trade body to a powerful lobbying force representing hundreds of companies across India’s sprawling digital economy. As regulatory battles intensify, the new team will need to balance member interests whilst maintaining credibility with policymakers in the world’s most populous democracy.

  • Truecaller dials up AI to reveal why they’re calling, not just who it is

    Truecaller dials up AI to reveal why they’re calling, not just who it is

    MUMBAI: Call of the wild unknown may finally be tamed. Truecaller, the caller ID app that has become a lifeline for over 450 million users across 190 countries, has unveiled a fresh AI upgrade that promises to answer the question that nags us all when the phone rings: not just who’s calling, but why.

    The new AI-powered Caller ID goes beyond flashing a name on screen. It analyses billions of signals from calls, messages and community feedback to deliver instant context whether the number belongs to a delivery rider, a customer support desk, or a scammer lurking in the shadows. With AI-summarised user comments now popping up in real time, users can see a one-line digest of hundreds of reports before deciding whether to swipe green or red.

    And the timing couldn’t be sharper. Phone scams are no longer just nuisance calls, they’re an economic menace. In 2024 alone, Truecaller flagged over 56 billion spam and fraud calls, while the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and Feedzai pegged worldwide scam losses at a staggering 1.03 trillion dollars. With fraud networks evolving faster than telecom operators’ static spam tags, Truecaller’s adaptive AI acts as a global early-warning system: a number flagged for impersonation in one region can now be proactively labelled elsewhere, thanks to shared intelligence and behavioural modelling.

    “People hesitate to answer unknown calls because they lack context, and in today’s world, context is everything,” said Truecaller global CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala,  of . “Truecaller was built to solve this: not just to identify who’s calling, but to help you understand why. Is it someone from your network, a delivery, a business or a scam? Our AI uses real-time data and contextual signals to give you clarity the moment your phone rings, turning uncertainty into informed choice.”

    Unlike traditional caller ID systems that depend on delayed telecom databases, Truecaller’s intelligence is dynamic and continuously enriched by its engaged user community. Every day, millions of reports feed into its models, sharpening its ability to detect suspicious behaviour even before numbers have been widely reported. The AI can also indicate when a number is “likely a business” or “likely important” despite limited history, a key feature in regions where formal business verification lags behind.

    For brands, Truecaller already offers a verified business badge to mark official identities. But the majority of insights shown to users come from its AI engine meaning no manual labelling or registration is required. From identifying spoofed calls to spotting robocall campaigns in their infancy, the system is designed to stay one step ahead of fraudsters.

    The platform’s greatest edge, though, may be its scale. With a global community of 450 million active users across 190 plus countries, Truecaller has turned into a real-time safety net. Its AI doesn’t just learn from local spam reports; it cross-pollinates intelligence globally. A fraudster shut down in one country can’t simply resurface in another without detection, as the system shares behavioural cues across markets.

    In an era where attention spans are shrinking but threats are multiplying, Truecaller is positioning itself as more than a caller ID, it’s a context engine. The company says it wants to move users from hesitation to confidence, ensuring that every buzz in your pocket comes with an informed choice attached. And in a world where scams are growing more sophisticated by the minute, that context might just be the most valuable ring tone of all.

  • Truecaller names Athul Prabhu product director for ads business

    Truecaller names Athul Prabhu product director for ads business

    MUMBAI: Truecaller has tapped Athul Prabhu as product director for its advertising arm, a move aimed at supercharging the company’s biggest growth engine.

    Prabhu, an ad-tech veteran with stints at Glance, TikTok, Viacom18 and Nielsen, will shape the product vision and strategy for Truecaller Ads. At Glance, he built the lock-screen app’s ad-tech infrastructure from scratch, enabling global monetisation through programmatic and direct sales.

    The appointment comes as Truecaller Ads, delivering more than 5 billion daily impressions and used by over 10,000 brands, cements its reputation as one of the world’s largest mobile advertising platforms. Hemant Arora, vice-president of the global ads business, said Prabhu’s remit will be to design a diversified suite of AI- and data-led products tuned to local markets.

    Prabhu, an IIT Kanpur graduate with an MBA from ISB Hyderabad, called the platform “uniquely positioned to redefine the future of trusted communication and digital advertising”, citing its reach and user trust as rare assets for brands.

    Advertising accounts for the lion’s share of Truecaller’s growth, and the company is betting Prabhu can turn scale into sharper monetisation.

  • Truecaller Ads appoints Archana Roche as global head of measurement & analytics

    Truecaller Ads appoints Archana Roche as global head of measurement & analytics

    MUMBAI: Truecaller has announced the appointment of Archana Roche as global head of measurement & analytics for its rapidly growing Ad Solutions business. This strategic hire reflects Truecaller’s deepening focus on building a world-class advertising ecosystem powered by data-driven insights, transparent metrics, and business impact.

    With the advertising landscape becoming increasingly performance-oriented, Truecaller Ad Solutions is positioning itself as a trusted partner for brands seeking measurable and meaningful outcomes. Archana’s appointment marks a critical step in embedding measurement as a strategic cornerstone of the platform designed to enable advertisers to unlock greater return on investment through rigorous, full-funnel analytics and evidence-based attribution.

    Bringing over 18 years of experience in digital measurement, ad effectiveness, and data strategy, Archana joins Truecaller from Aleph, where she served as Global Lead for Meta Measurement. In her previous role, she led marketing effectiveness initiatives across Europe, Africa, and APAC, driving adoption of advanced methodologies such as incrementality testing, lift studies, and Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM). Her career spans strategic roles at Tata Motors, Pidilite, and Future Group—anchoring her expertise in both digital-first and traditional marketing environments.

    “Measurement will be a defining factor in the next phase of growth for Truecaller Ad Solutions,” said Archana Roche. “We’re building a measurement framework rooted in trust, precision, and accountability—ensuring every ad dollar delivers clarity and real business results. Our mission is to create an ecosystem where advertisers not only measure what matters, but also act on it with confidence.”

    Speaking on her appointment, Truecaller VP global ads business, Hemant Arora said, “I’m delighted to welcome Archana on board. Under her leadership, Truecaller Ad Solutions will continue to evolve its analytics capabilities—integrating performance metrics across the customer journey, from awareness to conversion. This move reinforces Truecaller’s ambition to offer a comprehensive, insight-led advertising platform that delivers both scale and precision”

  • Caller of the Wild: Truecaller Rings in Record Growth with 15m New Users

    Caller of the Wild: Truecaller Rings in Record Growth with 15m New Users

    MUMBAI: Truecaller has dialled into another stellar quarter and this time, it’s all about strong signals and even stronger numbers. The Swedish platform, best known for helping users identify who’s calling and block the rest, has reported a 21 per cent surge in net sales (in constant currencies) for Q2 2025, clocking in at SEK 496.4 million which is around 47 million dollars.

    Even in Swedish Krona, which saw a sharp rally, growth was a healthy 9 per cent. The company’s EBITDA margin (excluding incentive costs) rose to a punchy 42.6 per cent, with absolute EBITDA at SEK 211.6 million up 20 per cent year-on-year.

    More than just the money, the momentum was visible in user growth: Truecaller added 15 million monthly active users this quarter alone, pushing its non-iOS MAUs to 426.6 million. That’s a 55.3 million jump from Q2 2024, a clear sign that spam isn’t winning.

    Subscriptions were on a tear too, with paying users now crossing the 3 million mark including 1 million on iOS. Subscription revenues shot up by 48 per cent in constant currency, while Truecaller for Business climbed 53 per cent. Advertising revenue, despite currency drag, held steady with 11 per cent growth in constant terms.

    To boost its ads play, the company launched the Truecaller Masthead and Truecaller Play, expanding its video and display offerings. It also introduced an in-house AI recommendation engine, tested with Uber and Bajaj Auto, which showed promising upticks in click-throughs and conversions.

    India, its biggest market, recorded a 5 per cent growth in Q2 net sales. But the Middle East and Africa (MEA) stole the spotlight with a 23 per cent jump, followed by an 18 per cent rise in the rest of the world.

    Still, it wasn’t all sunshine profit after tax dipped to SEK 118 million (from 123 million), thanks in part to the strong Krona. Yet Truecaller CEO Rishit Jhunjhunwala remains upbeat: “We’re solving everyday communication problems and building long-term value. The future looks bright and spam-free.”

    With AI-fuelled growth, a booming subscriber base and a sharp eye on regional expansion, Truecaller’s trajectory might just be the one call everyone wants to answer.
     

  • Truecaller dials up the drama with ‘Play’

    Truecaller dials up the drama with ‘Play’

    MUMBAI: Truecaller Ads is turning up the volume on mobile advertising with the launch of Truecaller Play, a shiny new toolbox of rich media ad formats designed to captivate consumers in a mobile-first world. This isn’t your standard banner fare — it’s high-impact, high-recall, and built to feel native in a user’s everyday digital rhythm.

    Touted as the next evolution in brand storytelling, Truecaller Play lets advertisers serve video-first, interactive creatives right inside the app’s daily touchpoints. With users already engaged and distractions at bay, brands now have a golden opportunity to grab attention where it matters most — during moments of pure, undivided focus.

    The new offering compliments Truecaller’s existing heavy-hitters — the 3 billion daily Roadblock and the Truecaller Masthead — by offering an added layer of creative freedom, all powered by the platform’s enviable trove of first-party data. With over 10,000 advertisers on board and more than 5 billion daily brand impressions, the scale is nothing short of staggering.

    Truecaller VP, global ad sales business, Hemant Arora said, “At Truecaller ads, we’ve always believed that trust and utility are the cornerstones of meaningful engagement. With Truecaller Play, we’re not just introducing another ad product; we’re offering brands a rare opportunity to connect during moments of genuine user focus. It’s about placing your story exactly where attention is highest and distractions are lowest. That’s the power and promise of Truecaller Play.”

    What’s in the playbook?

    ●    Custom rich nedia formats: From snackable videos to cinematic ad experiences, tailored to drive everything from awareness to conversions.

    ●    Native integration: Ads that feel like part of the flow, not an interruption.

    ●    Creative in tow: Truecaller Ads’ in-house team helps brands craft thumb-stopping visuals.

    ●    Precision at scale: Target users with laser accuracy, thanks to proprietary user data.

    Whether it’s a D2C disruptor or a legacy FMCG giant, Truecaller Play gives brands the creative arsenal to move beyond static displays and into the age of mobile magic — all while keeping users, well, on the line.

  • Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    Ketan K Bharati joins The House of Abhinandan Lodha to lead media

    MUMBAI: Ketan K Bharati, the marketing maverick who has shaped campaigns across telecom, FMCG, tech, and media giants, has now planted his flag at The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) as head – media strategy & performance marketing.

    With a career spanning nearly two decades and marquee brands like Truecaller, Reckitt, Vodafone, Disney Star, and GroupM in his rearview mirror, Bharati’s next chapter promises to blend data muscle, storytelling flair, and go-to-market wizardry for one of India’s most ambitious real estate disruptors.

    Bharati, was most recently VP – global marketing ops at Truecaller, where he steered GTM rollouts, global launches, and even lit up Times Square.

    Backed by stints managing Rs 500 crore media portfolios, landing Gold at Spikes Asia, and anchoring revenue surges at Fox International and Reckitt, Bharati is no stranger to performance-led growth. His Vodafone days saw him turn cricket carnivals into brand goldmines with the IPL and World Cup. At GroupM, he cracked efficiency gains for brands like Dove and PepsiCo with data-first media buying.

    At HoABL, he’s expected to fuse full-funnel performance with digital-first thinking, supporting the brand’s audacious land-tokenisation push and national expansion.

    In a world where land is being reimagined as a lifestyle asset, HoABL’s latest hire signals it’s not just playing the game. It’s rewriting the script.

  • Truecaller makes all the right calls with solid growth in Q1 earnings

    Truecaller makes all the right calls with solid growth in Q1 earnings

    MUMBAI: If quarterly results were a missed call alert, Truecaller’s would be marked “important.” Truecaller has dialled into success once again, with its January–March 2025 quarter ending on a high note further cementing its reputation as the go-to app for caller verification and spam blocking. The company reported a 14 per cent year-on-year rise in net sales in India, with global revenues also making all the right noises.

    Worldwide net sales surged 16 per cent to 51.2 million dollars, up from 44 million dollars in Q1 2024. Meanwhile, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), excluding incentive costs, jumped 22 per cent to 20.4 million dollars, translating to a healthy 40 per cent margin.

    However, when incentive programme costs were factored in, EBITDA dipped slightly by 1 per cent to 15.3 million dollars. Profit after tax saw a drop from USD 13.7 million to USD 10.4 million.

    Where Truecaller truly rang loud was in user growth and business services. The platform’s active monthly users (non-iOS) grew by nearly 53 million, hitting a total of 411.9 million. Premium subscriptions surged 40 per cent, while Truecaller for Business racked up a 60 per cent jump in revenue led by strong gains in both Verified Business and Business Messaging segments.

    India remains the biggest market, clocking a 14 per cent growth, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 29 per cent, and the rest of the world at 19 per cent.

    As spam continues to plague digital communication, Truecaller appears to be not just answering the call, but leading the charge with a business model that blends user trust, tech innovation and timely monetisation.