Truecaller Says Sweden-Based and Not Malware After Reportedly Being Included in List of 'Banned' Chinese Apps

Advertisement
By Indo-Asian News Service | Updated: 30 November 2017 18:03 IST

Reacting to reports that the Indian security establishment asked troops to delete some 40 Chinese mobile apps, including the leading communication app Truecaller, to avoid a possible cyber-attack, the company on Thursday denied any foul play on its part.

According to reports, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in an November 24 advisory asked troops to delete apps like WeChat, Truecaller, Weibo, UC Browser, and UC News from their smartphones or reformat their devices altogether.

"In response to certain reports, we would like to clarify that we are a Sweden-based company. We are not sure why the app is on this list, but we're investigating. Truecaller is not a malware, and all our features are permission based and are disabled by default," the company said in a statement.

Advertisement

The reports alleged that foreign intelligence agencies including from China and Pakistan were using these mobile apps to hack into smartphones.

"For additional clarity, when you download Truecaller from the app store, Truecaller needs access to certain capabilities to provide you with a richer experience," the company added.

In 2012, over 10,000 email addresses of top government officials were hacked in a single day.

Advertisement

The IDs included those of officials working in the PMO, defence, external affairs, home, finance ministries, as well as intelligence agencies.

The paramilitary forces were also badly hit, especially Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Sci-Fi Fantasy
  2. World's Biggest Alien Search Enters Final Stage With 100 Mystery Signals
  3. AGS 28 OTT Release: Know Where to Watch The Arjun, Abhirami-Starrer
  1. World’s Biggest Alien Search Enters Final Stage With 100 Mystery Signals
  2. NASA Pulls Out Artemis II Rocket to Launch Pad Ahead of Historic Moon Mission
  3. Shambhala OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Telugu Supernatural Horror Film
  4. AGS 28 OTT Release: Know Where to Watch This Tamil Entertainer Starring Arjun, Abhirami
  5. Avatar: Fire and Ash OTT Release: When, Where to Watch James Cameron’s Epic Sci-Fi Fantasy
  6. OpenAI to Begin Testing Ads in ChatGPT, Says Responses Will Not Be Influenced
  7. Gurram Paapi Reddy OTT Release: When, Where to Watch This Telugu Crime Comedy Thriller
  8. Hypothetical ‘Dark Stars’ Could Rewrite Early Cosmic History, Research Suggests
  9. Honor Magic 8 Pro Air Key Features Confirmed; Company Teases External Lens for Honor Magic 8 RSR Porsche Design
  10. Lava Blaze Duo 3 India Launch Date Announced; Colour Options Teased Ahead of Debut
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.