Latest news with #InformationRegulator
The South African
36 minutes ago
- Business
- The South African
Truecaller under investigation for violating THIS law
A fascinating case is underway that sees Truecaller under investigation for violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). For those who are unaware, Truecaller is an excellent mobile app that helps identify unknown, direct marketer and spam callers. However, as of this week, the Information Regulator confirms it has put Truecaller under investigation. Direct marketers are complaining that the Trucaller app harms their businesses by flaging their numbers and sharing their information illegally. South Africans use the Truecaller app extensively to identify unknown calls, especially from call centre agents. The technology behind it uses an AI-based system that identifies and flags unwanted calls. However, the Information Regulator now confirms that Truecaller is being accused of interfering with the running of these direct-marketing companies, reports The Citizen . 'Only upon conclusion of the investigation will we make a pronouncement. The complainant alleges that Truecaller interferes with these companies' right to privacy,' confirmed the regulator. Meanwhile, law experts say the regulator would need to see concrete data showing that businesses have been affected by the mobile app. The privacy of information act, created to uphold the privacy of citizens, might be successfully used to uphold the rights of direct marketing companies. Image: File With Truecaller under investigation in South Africa, a fascinating case will ensue. The Information Regulator has very strict guidelines for direct marketers. As such, citizens have every right not to be contacted unwillingly. Therefore, the complainants must show a direct link that Truecaller is harming their business. But there's another side to the coin, because law experts say a strong argument can be made that Truecaller is at odds with several POPIA provisions. If a call centre phones a customer, and the number comes up as spam, naturally the customer won't answer that call. Here in lies the conundrum. How does a call centre then contact a customers and prevent Truecaller from reflecting the number as spam? Another way to shield yourself from spam calls is the Direct Marketing Association's opt-out service. Image: File As such, the Information Regulator needs to strike a balance between data privacy and people's rights still to do business. However, you can also be proactive in getting rid of unwanted spam. If you want to opt out from direct marketing calls, visit The Direct Marketing Association's opt-out service. Simply register your details, and those who are members of the association will no longer contact you. Nevertheless, with Truecaller under investigation for POPIA violations, the regulator's outcome will set a precedent for other tech platforms in South Africa. The regulator has previously fined companies as much as R5 million for breaches of POPIA. If found non-compliant, Truecaller might face similar or higher fines and/or data deletion enforcements. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
'We are the voice of the people,' Truecaller says amid probe over privacy
SA companies and individuals have lodged a complaint against Truecaller for violating Popia. Call screening app, Truecaller, has refuted claims that their app harms businesses, saying every individual has an 'inherent fundamental right to know who is calling them and the company enables their users to exercise it'. This comes after the Information Regulator confirmed it is investigating a complaint against Truecaller by several companies and individuals for violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia). South Africans use the app extensively to identify unknown calls, especially from call centre agents. However, companies have complained that the Trucaller app harms their businesses because it flags their numbers and charges a fee to whitelist them. Truecaller responds However, the company has denied the allegations. An official Truecaller spokesperson told The Citizen that its mission is to 'empower users and make their communication safe and trustworthy.' 'We uphold the highest standards of data practices, whether it's about putting users in control of the information they share with us, minimising what data is processed through our servers or even the ability to completely remove themselves from Truecaller without any restrictions whatsoever. 'Truecaller is about providing users with safety in communication. The notion about whitelisting is completely false,' Trucaller said. ALSO READ: SA companies lodge complaint against Truecaller app for violating Popia Whitelisting The spokesperson added that businesses cannot pay Truecaller for any sort of whitelisting services. 'Truecaller does not offer any sort of whitelisting service to any person or business, in any region, regardless of any fee. If a business spams Truecaller users, and users report it as a spammer, it will be marked as a spammer. It is our job to protect people from unwanted communication, and we will always uphold that promise,' the spokesperson said. Patriotic While Truecaller is a call screening app, the company emphasised a patriotic stance reminiscent of a political party. 'We are the voice of the people and allow them to choose who is a spammer and who is not. The fee that Truecaller charges is for the 'Truecaller for Business' service, which allows them to verify their correct business name and include a logo with their Truecaller profile.' 'Upon validating their ownership of the given number with Truecaller, they also receive a verified business badge, the spokesperson said. ALSO READ: South Africa's Information Regulator acts against FT Rams over privacy law breach The spokesperson said this ensures users know that the number has been validated by Truecaller, and it belongs to the business to which it is attributed. This, it says, helps avoid scams and impersonation-type fraud. Trucaller offers three paid packages for its services, Premium, Family and Gold with subscriptions starting at R199 per year for Premium to R1 490 per year for the Gold package. Lawyers weigh in Werksmans Attorneys director Ahmore Burger-Smidt said the call screening app was at odds with several Popia provisions. However, law firm Norton Rose Fulbright's Rosalind Lake told The Citizen the Information Regulator would need to show a direct link that businesses have been affected by the Truecaller app. ALSO READ: Information regulator slaps DoJ with R5m fine for contravening privacy act
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Cold-callers vs Truecaller: Who's really the victim?
Popia does not exist for many in the cold-calling industry, so why should we suddenly care that companies may be slightly prejudiced by Truecaller? One reaction to the news that some companies complained to the Information Regulator because the Truecaller app harms their business by revealing their phone numbers, is: you have to be kidding. These companies are the ones who invade your privacy by calling you at all hours with sales pitches in what could be a violation of Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia). Some of them obtain your contact details in dubious ways, too. And yet now they are the victims? The companies are upset that Truecaller flags their numbers as 'spam' if users have flagged them as such… and that the app charges a fee to 'whitelist' them. ALSO READ: SA companies lodge complaint against Truecaller app for violating Popia Experts say, though, that there's another side to the issue. If a company genuinely wants to contact a customer – as opposed to pitching for new business – and it is flagged, the call will automatically be blocked by Truecaller. However, if that was really the case, we would say there are multiple channels to use to contact customers – via e-mail or messaging apps, for example. Popia does not exist for many in the cold-calling industry, so why should we suddenly care that companies may be slightly prejudiced by Truecaller? Stop annoying people and maybe we'd feel more sympathetic.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Cost of new number plates faces scrutiny
The rollout of a new high-tech, tamper-proof number plate system has sparked widespread concern over cost, necessity, and transparency, most notably from civil rights organisation AfriForum. Gauteng Provincial Government has begun rolling out the new number plate system within the province's fleet of cars since June 5 in a bid to combat crime, vehicle fraud, and enhance law enforcement. This pilot is expected to last for six months before a broader rollout to the public. As the pilot phase continues, AfriForum is awaiting a response to its internal appeal and weighing its next steps, which may include lodging a formal complaint with the Information Regulator or pursuing legal action to compel the release of requested data like the cost of the plates. The initiative, spearheaded by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and unveiled in June, includes plans to extend it to all private and commercial vehicles in the province by early 2026. The plates are designed with advanced security features, including QR codes, anti-tamper decals, and a digitised backend to allow for instant verification of vehicle ownership and status. No costs to vehicle owners were announced by the premier at the launch. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport touts the system as a modern, digitised approach to tackle vehicle-related crime and streamline enforcement. AfriForum, which represents over 185 000 members in Gauteng, has lodged an internal appeal after the department failed to respond to its Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request on data about the project within the mandated 30 days. The organisation is demanding answers on key aspects of the new number plate project, including estimated cost per unit, the timeline for mandatory replacement, and the research behind claims that the system will improve road safety or reduce crime. According to Louis Boshoff, spokesperson and campaign officer at AfriForum, the organisation's concerns are rooted in broader issues of governance. 'Gauteng residents are already under pressure due to poor service delivery, ranging from persistent power cuts to unreliable water supply. Launching a costly new number plate system at this time appears to be a misplaced priority,' Boshoff stated. AfriForum's PAIA request focuses on three core areas: how much the new plates will cost motorists, when the public will be required to replace existing plates, and the research backing the claims of improved security. The department acknowledged receipt of the request, and after a follow-up, indicated that the information was being processed. However, when no further communication was received, AfriForum proceeded with an internal appeal. One of the organisation's main criticisms is the lack of clarity around pricing. At present in Pretoria, the cost of registration plates varies. A standard set of number plates (front and rear) can cost around R220 to R500 for metal plates with R100 for backing plates if needed. Additional fees may apply for things like attachment frames, service fees for processing the registration, or if you choose personalised plates. 'The only available comparison is the current price of a standard number plate. If the new system involves improved security features, higher production costs are almost inevitable,' said Boshoff. 'Additionally, replacing a number plate may also require a new licence disk, adding to the financial burden on motorists.' Boshoff questioned the project's relevance in addressing Gauteng's urgent challenges. 'Even if the new number plates function exactly as intended, this does not address the core issue, which is weak law enforcement. Without consistent enforcement, the efficacy of advanced number plates is negligible.' AfriForum is also sceptical about the research that supposedly informed the project. According to Boshoff, the organisation has reviewed numerous studies related to road safety and crime prevention in South Africa but has found no compelling evidence linking enhanced number plate security with measurable improvements in these areas. 'If such research does exist, we are baffled as to why the department has failed to share it with the public,' he said. The initiative comes with significant logistical implications. Gauteng is home to over 3.5 million registered vehicles, meaning about 7 million new plates, front and rear, would need to be produced and distributed. For AfriForum, the absence of a transparent budget or feasibility study raises red flags. Boshoff warns that the initiative could follow the same trajectory as the widely criticised e-toll system: 'If this is pushed through without public buy-in or transparency, we could see another stalled project due to mass non-compliance.' While the department maintains that the pilot phase will evaluate the system's cost implications and functionality, concerns persist that vehicle owners will ultimately shoulder the cost of the transition. If prices become too high, organisations like the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) have warned that fleet operators may choose to license their vehicles in other provinces, potentially leading to revenue losses for Gauteng. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Truecaller users in SA warned about app violating Popia act
Companies have complained that Truecaller harms their businesses and charges a fee for them to be whitelisted. The Information Regulator has confirmed it is investigating a complaint against Truecaller by several companies and individuals for violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia). Truecaller is a mobile app that helps users identify unknown callers, block spam and scam calls, and manage their communication more effectively. Truecaller It also acts as a caller ID and spam blocker, using an AI community-based system to identify and flag potentially unwanted calls and messages. South Africans use the app extensively to identify unknown calls, especially from call centre agents. Companies have complained that the Trucaller app harms their businesses because it flags their numbers and charges a fee to whitelist them. Investigation The Information Regulator's spokesperson Nomzamo Zondi said Truecaller has been accused of interfering with the privacy of an individual. 'We received a complaint from a data subject that Truecaller allegedly interfered with their right to privacy, and the matter is still under investigation. 'Only upon conclusion of the investigation, we will make a pronouncement,' Zondi said. ALSO READ: South Africa's Information Regulator acts against FT Rams over privacy law breach Direct link Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright's Rosalind Lake told The Citizen the Information Regulator would need to show a direct link that businesses have been affected by the Truecaller app. 'There's been a lot of scrutiny by the Information Regulator about direct marketing, and they have issued guidelines regarding direct marketing, and it's something that the regulator is very focused on. 'I think… data subjects (people) want the right to not be contacted, and so for any kind of claim, they have to show that there's a direct link in what Truecaller does and the harm to business, and I'm not sure that that is immediately apparent,' Lake said. Popia provisions Werksmans Attorneys director Ahmore Burger-Smidt told The Citizen that Truecaller was at odds with several Popia provisions. 'In the first instance, we need to recognise that there are two sides to this proverbial coin that we looking at. On the one hand, we've got South African citizens, individuals that receive unwanted calls, and they do have the right in terms of the protection of personal information to say we do not want these calls, and we feel we do not want spam, do not phone me and delete my number from your database. 'Truecaller fulfils this function, that you receive a call and you can say this is spam. [You can say] I don't want them to call me and then they get flagged on the Truecaller side as a spam number,' Burger-Smidt said. Spam She said if someone notifies Truecaller of a spam number, it means the call centre of the company that the number belongs to will not be able to reach its legitimate customers who have the Truecaller app on their mobile phones. 'The call centre phones the customer, the number will come up as spam and naturally the customer won't answer the call. Here lies the conundrum. How do I still, as a [call centre] contact my customers, and how do I prevent Truecaller from reflecting my call centre number as a spam number? 'So, on one side there are people and individuals that find it extremely helpful and on the other side of the coin people trying to reach their customers find it terribly frustrating,' Burger-Smidt said. ALSO READ: Google to study Competition Commission report on R500m payment Tough balance Lake said there's always a tough balance between data privacy and people's rights to carry on with their business. 'There are clear rules under Popia for people to engage in goal for direct marketing and they should do so and also for consumers, the Direct Marketing Association runs a website called where people can register the details, and so that people who are members of the Direct Marketing Association will not contact people who registered on that site.' Violation The Information Regulator's investigation could set a precedent for how tech platforms handle South African data. If found non-compliant, Truecaller might face enforcement notices, requiring changes like better consent mechanisms or data deletion options. The regulator has previously fined companies for Popia breaches, including a R5 million penalty against a direct marketer in 2023 for spam messages. The Citizen has contacted Truecaller for comment. It will be added to the story when received. ALSO READ: Information regulator slaps DoJ with R5m fine for contravening privacy act
