In a bid to combat phone-based spam and fraudulent calls, the Indian government has begun trials of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. The service flashes the caller’s verified real name—based on official KYC details—even if the number is not saved in the recipient’s contacts.

How CNAP Differs from Apps Like Truecaller

Unlike apps such as Truecaller, which rely on user-provided data that can sometimes be inaccurate or outdated, CNAP is government-backed and linked to verified KYC or Aadhaar details registered with telecom operators.

When a call comes in, users will first see the KYC-verified name on their screen, followed by any nickname or label they have saved. During trials, some users have reported seeing unfamiliar “real” names, sparking surprise and curiosity across the country.

Telecom Trials Underway

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved the CNAP portal following TRAI’s recommendation. Major telecom operators, including Airtel, Jio, and Vi, have started testing the service in select areas.

The initiative is part of a larger effort by the tech and telecom sectors to increase transparency, making it harder for scammers to hide behind fake caller IDs.

Balancing Safety and Privacy

While CNAP has been praised for improving caller transparency and user safety, it has also raised privacy concerns. Questions remain regarding whether users will be able to opt out or control which names are displayed.

As trials expand nationwide, CNAP is poised to change how Indians interact with unknown numbers, potentially reducing fraud and improving trust in phone communications.

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