In the battle against spam calls, Naam, an indigenous startup, is poised to challenge Truecaller's dominance in India. The company aims to provide a spam-free experience through its innovative caller ID app, leveraging AI and publicly available data to build a comprehensive database. With a focus on privacy and support for regional languages, Naam offers a lighter alternative to Truecaller.
Scam calls have emerged as a significant concern, prompting warnings from officials like Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to a McAfee survey, a considerable percentage of Indians have fallen victim to AI call scams, resulting in substantial financial losses. While regulatory efforts are underway, private players like Naam are actively combating fraud and spam calls. Founded in 2023 by Arpit Tak, a seasoned telecom professional, and his college friend Ramesh Chaudhary, Naam utilizes AI to flag suspicious numbers, drawing from its extensive database of over 500 million phone numbers sourced from public information.
"The essence of Naam's solution lies in its AI-driven identification of spammers and scammers, prioritizing data safety and privacy," explains Tak. Recognized as one of India's most promising startups in 2023, Naam has garnered attention for its commitment to addressing these pressing issues.
While Truecaller relies on community-based spam reporting, Naam employs advanced algorithms to analyze call patterns and external data sources such as Google reviews and social media posts. Notably, Naam's app boasts a smaller footprint compared to Truecaller, with all features, including automatic spam identification and number identification, available for free.
Naam.ai is exploring various avenues for monetization in the future, including verified caller ID programs. Tak emphasizes the importance of empowering users with control over their privacy, particularly in a market as vast as India. To cater to diverse linguistic preferences, Naam is expanding language support, leveraging natural language processing tools for seamless integration.
Despite early successes, Naam faces challenges, including technical glitches reported by some users. However, the company remains committed to resolving these issues and enhancing user experience. With Tak's extensive industry experience and Chaudhary's entrepreneurial background, Naam is poised for growth, aiming to secure investment for expansion and integration of advanced AI features.
In the coming years, Naam plans to prioritize user feedback, address bugs, and bolster marketing efforts to accelerate user acquisition. Additionally, the company intends to leverage generative AI technology and introduce new features to enhance customer retention, solidifying its position as a leading player in the caller ID space.
