[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by nstark13

Not exactly linked to the thread but incase someone is bugged by the sheer no. of ads you get while visiting blogs, articles and other pages you can block them very easily and that too without installing any third party app.

This works in ios as well as Android:

Step 1: Search for Private DNS in settings.
Step 2: Select the option for manually entering a dns address.
Step 3: Enter the address, "dns.adguard.com", let the wifi/mobile data reconnect and Voila! You're good to
go.

OMG! You're life saver. I am bugged with some random video ads on this forum itself and your suggestion helped. Thanks much sir!

[landmaster18]

Originally Posted by dicor

Android vs iPhone battle
I see that some user thinks that it’s Android or iOS. No, it’s not Android that leaks our data, it’s the apps that do it and those apps are able to do it because we are allowing them to do it. Many of us are not very mindful about reviewing permissions while installing the apps.

Good to see some discussion happening! To clarify, the phone I use is a Samsung Fan Edition, not exactly flagship class but definitely not a cheap Chinese phone with a dodgy android skin either

The apps I use too are very very few. And they are restricted to just banking and UPI apps and Ola/ Uber and a solitary Amazon app for shopping. There's no other app. My email for all banking related activities is a Proton Mail account; primary browser is Brave although I do use Chrome from time to time. So that ways from a privacy point of view, I'm quite active in terms of what apps I download and what permissions I give out.

Also, as far as app permissions go, I don't think I've given there have been any dodgy apps that ever downloaded. I think it's a basic thing most would be aware of so my reasoning remains the same. That Android actively listens to your conversations and throws ads accordingly.

[montsa007]

Originally Posted by rahul1407

For some reason, "fully block" has never worked for me, despite sending the last such request in April.

I've done the fully blocked, have received 0 calls from 140 series till date.

Originally Posted by nstark13

Not exactly linked to the thread but incase someone is bugged by the sheer no. of ads you get while visiting blogs, articles and other pages you can block them very easily and that too without installing any third party app.

This works in ios as well as Android:

Step 1: Search for Private DNS in settings.
Step 2: Select the option for manually entering a dns address.
Step 3: Enter the address, "dns.adguard.com", let the wifi/mobile data reconnect and Voila! You're good to go.

Yes, adguard works wonders, but it often slows down your browsing speed. SO i often switch off & switch on the adguard settings

Originally Posted by cdrajeevkumar

Voted for option 3.

One of the most pathetically designed and released app (it’s even worse on iOS)

I haven't used the IOS version, but the Android version is pretty smooth. What version of Anrdoid are you running?, is it the latest?

[cdrajeevkumar]

Originally Posted by montsa007

I haven't used the IOS version, but the Android version is pretty smooth. What version of Anrdoid are you running?, is it the latest?

I use an android phone that has my official number. I don’t share that number in malls / restaurants and hence spam calls are zero (0). So not using DND app on that. My personal number is on iOS and this is where the DND app fails to deliver!

[alto99]

DND app is useless for BSNL users. Each and every call/SMS reported is closed with comment "insufficient information".

[the.dogfather]

I have been using the DND app for some months now and the spam calls have reduced drastically. In most cases, either the number is put under usage cap or it is blacklisted.
I remember, there was a period when I couldn't log into the DND app, and there was a surge in calls. I think this maybe a time when the callers also didn't have access to DND directory as after a few days I again noticed a sharp drop in calls and after that when I tried I could login to the app.
Even before I found the DND app, I used to make complaints manually using the Airtel web page and a few numbers were blocked but the DND app made things much easier.
I have been facing an issue with reporting numbers in the last month, where the app does not pick the call from the history, however as the frequency has reduced significantly, I went back and reported it manually via Airtel page.
In the recent past it has been only Bajaj finance which has been pestering inspite of all the reporting. I recently read a tweet that they maybe giving an option to shut their calls up and I am looking forward to it.

[Samarth 619]

A small background on me:- I've had 0 spam calls in quite a while, I've delisted my number from truecaller and I don't support this cancerous app.


There's one more tip I might add with a multitude of benefits apart from SPAM:- Install "Netguard" from Play Store on Android.
Its an app which uses VPN feature from Android to cut access to internet for select apps, that means I use a multitude of calculator apps, single player games, music players, video editing apps, etc. without a single byte of internet data and this happens automatically, after you set it.
In my case, only whatsapp, telegram, signal can access internet, others can't even send my as they don't have the required internet permission.


Thank me afterwards. Some of you will, I'm sure.

[jkrishnakj]

I was using the trai DND app for a few years and was quite diligent in reporting calls and sms. I’ve also had the hot of seeing some of these spam guys get fined by trai. Suddenly the app was discontinued from ios. By and large, I receive very few calls. The worst for me is STAR health insurance. I’ve to find a way to report these chaps.

[itwasntme]

Moved to iOS recently and am surprised that there is no TRAI DND app available.

Can some of the iOS stalwarts advise on what strategy to follow? I’m usually plagued by robocalls nowadays.

[Arvindyoga]

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

Be a little mindful of this, for yourself and for anyone reading this. There are a lot of valid +9140 calls - 040 is Hyderabad STD code, while 140 is the area code of telemarketers registered under NCPCR.

Many services use the +9140 code. I believe Uber/Ola calls are also +9140. MyGate society management app in Hyderabad is a 040 number.
Also wanted to add that TrueCaller isn't always fully updated, as the phone numbers may be refurbished. I got a call which TrueCaller identified as 'Investment Scam' but it was actually a courier delivery boy with an order I was expecting.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Moved to iOS recently and am surprised that there is no TRAI DND app available.

Can some of the iOS stalwarts advise on what strategy to follow? I’m usually plagued by robocalls nowadays.

SETTINGS>PHONE> Silence Unknown Callers; is what I have done. Yes it sometimes can be inconvenient ref courier deliveries etc but the peace of mind I otherwise enjoy is well worth it.

[aayusht]

Summary: blocked numbers can land in hands of an unsuspecting new owner


Last year when I was getting some renovation work done at my house, I had received a call from an unknown number. I ignored the numbers and later on checked on true caller. The number had been tagged as 'bank loan' or some variation of that. However, later on I found out that the number belonged to the carpenter who was doing some work at the house. After having a brief discussion with him, learnt that he had taken up the number recently. Its likely that the same number previously was used by telemarketers and must have been blocked/tagged as spam and they would have ditched that number.
Unfortunately for the carpenter, many of his outgoing calls might be getting blocked.
Not sure how telecom companies plan to handle this.

[binand]

A long time back, I had some interactions with Truecaller Ad Sales team. Their pitch involved low rates for universal targeting going up all they way to some big CPM numbers for targeting their paying users (don't recall if it was their highest tier of paid users). My takeaway from that interaction was that Truecaller's paid plans are not really their primary source of revenue, but only a self-selection ploy to separate the lucrative ad targets from the hoi polloi.

I do maintain a Truecaller account created with a throwaway Gmail account (ie, 0 contacts) just for the very rare scenario where I have to check a number on their platform. But my own number I have delisted and I have never used their app at all (verifying a single number one can do on their website).

My spam control protocol currently is this:

1. Ensure I'm in NDNC. Verify this every so often.
2. Calls - use Google Dialler's ("Phone by Google" in Play Store) spam blocking/reporting features. This is a Truecaller competitor they are building, I believe.
3. SMS - use the MS SMS Organiser's "Block" feature liberally. Unfortunately they don't have a reporting system / reputation checker system just yet. Hopefully it is in their roadmap somewhere.
4. WhatsApp/Telegram - both support "Block and Report". Always report spam as spam.
5. NDNC violation reports - via SMS or email. Not the TRAI or any other app (the TRAI app needed some invasive permissions I recall).

Just saw the recommendation of Netguard app. Would love to use it, but I think Android allows only one VPN app at a time?

[VVN]

Whatsapp is going the SMS route. The concept of messaging apps is not new, neither was it invented by the creators of Whatsapp. Does anyone remember Way2SMS? This was before SMS became a source for marketing agencies to reach out to users after transitioning from door to door sales. Marketing on Whatsapp is in its nascent stage but make no mistake, it is going to happen. They are coming up with Channels which will allow companies to promote their products. Let's face it, Mr Zuck is not going to sit around and not monetise the most effective product he owns.

Regarding spam calls, this again has no solution and is just going to get worse. You can reduce the calls by using apps like Doosra and Truecaller Premium but there will come a point when even these apps will start selling data to grow YOY. Even today, Truecaller has the option that allows companies to register their numbers to not make it appear as Spam on their filters. The only way out is to enable the auto block feature on all phones which reject calls from unknown numbers. The downside to this is that you also end up blocking genuine calls from Banks simply because the number wasn't saved on your phone.

[montsa007]

Originally Posted by alto99

DND app is useless for BSNL users. Each and every call/SMS reported is closed with comment "insufficient information".

Do you fill in the information when submitting the complaint?
I choose Banking & then write in "Spam call by XYZ company for loan/credit card"

Originally Posted by Arvindyoga

I believe Uber/Ola calls are also +9140.

Uber doesn't use 140, I've blocked 140 in Truecaller & have been easily getting calls from Uber.