A Telegram bot mimicking the features of the popular caller identification service Truecaller has rapidly gained attention online—raising serious concerns among cybersecurity experts and digital privacy advocates.
The bot, accessible via Telegram under the handle @TrueCaller1Bot, allows users to input a phone number and receive instant details such as the caller’s name, location, and service provider. Promoted as a fast and app-free alternative to Truecaller, the bot has amassed a large following, with its linked Telegram channel receiving over 3.8 million views.
⚡ Growing Popularity, Growing Risks
While the bot’s ease of use has contributed to its virality, experts warn that such unofficial services may be collecting and storing personal data without user consent.
“The bot doesn’t ask for your number—but that doesn’t mean your data is safe,” warned a Reddit user in a popular thread. “It could be harvesting every search and building a shadow database.”
Cybersecurity researchers point out that the bot is not affiliated with Truecaller or any verified company. This lack of oversight raises the risk of data misuse, inaccuracies, and potential identity theft.
🔍 How It Works
The @TrueCaller1Bot functions similarly to the Truecaller app: users send a phone number and receive a quick response with associated information. However, unlike the official Truecaller application, which follows data regulations and user consent protocols, the bot operates anonymously and without terms of service.
| Feature | Official Truecaller | Telegram Bot (@TrueCaller1Bot) |
|---|---|---|
| Caller Name Lookup | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Spam Alerts | ✅ Verified | ⚠️ Unverified |
| Privacy Controls | ✅ User-driven | ❌ Unknown |
| Data Source | ✅ Disclosed | ❌ Undisclosed |
🔐 Privacy Advocates Sound the Alarm
Privacy analysts caution against using such bots, emphasizing that even if users do not share their own numbers, querying someone else’s phone number could still lead to breaches of privacy laws, depending on the jurisdiction.
“This is a digital grey area. These services offer instant gratification but come with hidden costs—often your own data,” said Rajiv Menon, an independent cybersecurity consultant.
Several online forums, including Reddit and Telegram groups, have flagged the bot as potentially unsafe, encouraging users to delete chat history and avoid entering personal or sensitive numbers.
📱 Telegram’s Response: Still Silent
As of this writing, Telegram has not issued any official statement regarding the @TrueCaller1Bot. The bot remains active and continues to receive heavy user traffic. Attempts to contact Telegram’s support team for comment were unanswered.
📌 What Users Should Do
Experts recommend avoiding third-party tools that claim to provide personal data lookup services—especially those without transparent privacy policies. Users are urged to:
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Use only official caller ID applications from trusted app stores.
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Refrain from sharing phone numbers through bots or unverified apps.
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Report suspicious bots to Telegram for review.
DOWNOAD
While the @TrueCaller1Bot may appear to offer a quick solution for identifying unknown callers, its unofficial status and lack of data transparency have raised red flags within the cybersecurity community. As digital tools evolve, users are reminded that convenience should never come at the expense of privacy. (BOT)
