Does Seeing a Name on Your Phone Keep You From Picking Up? Here’s What You Should Know
Discover how new caller-ID technology like CNAP could change how names appear on your phone before you answer, and what it means for services like Truecaller, privacy, and spam calls.
Have you ever not picked up a call because the number wasn't saved? For millions of people in India, their phone screens may soon be able to show the caller's name even if the number is not saved. Recent changes in the law are pushing for this caller-name display to be built into the telecom network itself. This could change how we answer the phone.
Apps like Truecaller have traditionally helped people figure out
Who's calling by showing the caller's name using information from crowdsourced databases. But these services aren't always right and rely on users to share contact info.
Introducing Calling Name Presentation (CNAP)
A new system was suggested by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). When someone calls you, this system will show you the caller's registered name right from the records of telecom providers. Phones will show the name of the person calling you, not just a number. This feature is linked to the person's SIM card and can help you decide whether to pick up the call.
This official caller ID could make it easier to trust who’s calling by reducing the annoyance of unknown callers and spam, or fake calls. Some places, like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, are already trying CNAP. It will probably be used all over the country by 2026.
But seeing a name before you pick up still doesn't eliminate all risks
People are still worried about how this information is shared, and some people may not want their name to be shown at all. Once the service is fully launched, telecom companies should give customers the chance to opt out.
