In a significant recent development, PR guru Dale Bhagwagar has finally seen the resolution of his prolonged and arduous struggle with the popular caller identification app, Truecaller. Bhagwagar, the most popular figure in the public relations industry, shared his ordeal on Facebook, detailing the frustrations and complications he encountered over several weeks.
The saga began with an unexpected revelation: Bhagwagar discovered that his name was incorrectly displayed on the Sweden-based Truecaller app. This misidentification prompted him to subscribe to the Truecaller Premium service, hoping that the paid version would allow him to rectify the error. However, he soon found himself entangled in a series of technical issues, specifically a persistent “422:2 error,” which thwarted his attempts to correct his name.
In his Facebook post, Bhagwagar wrote, “After a lot of back and forth, countless emails and several frustrating moments, I am relieved to say that the issues with Truecaller finally seem to be resolved (for now, at least),” expressing his relief.
The situation escalated when Truecaller’s support team, represented by an individual named Amy, informed him that the system did not allow the use of the name “Dale” due to privacy reasons. Instead, they suggested he use the initial of his second name. Bhagwagar was incredulous, stating, “Imagine being told that your own name is a problem in their system!”
Despite his numerous emails and offering to provide identity proof, including his Aadhaar Card and Passport, to verify his real name, the problem persisted. “Dale is my real name. I can send you a copy of my Aadhaar Card or Passport if you need to verify. Please do something about it,” he requested in one of his communications with Truecaller’s support team.
As the emails continued, Bhagwagar faced additional hurdles when he tried to add his company name and bio to his profile, only to be met with the same error. The situation took a bizarre twist when Amy requested proof of a “registration bill from your carrier,” a demand Bhagwagar found unusual since Truecaller displays everyone’s names without such proof.
Before he could provide the requested documents, Bhagwagar received an alarming email from his service provider, Airtel India, informing him that the Government affiliated body CERT-In had reported his system as being infected by malware. While Bhagwagar wrote on Facebook that he is not aware if there is any connection between these issues, the incident raised significant cybersecurity concerns, prompting Bhagwagar to contact several government bodies for further investigation.
After much perseverance and a series of bewildering interactions, the Truecaller support team finally became more cooperative, allowing Bhagwagar to correct his name, company name, and bio on the app. Despite the resolution, Bhagwagar confessed to a lingering sense of distrust towards the app.
“My friends, please accept my ‘Special Thank You’ for your unwavering support and patience during this challenging time I faced,” he wrote in his Facebook post, acknowledging the support he received from friends, industry peers, and well-wishers. “Now, I just hope I don’t face more problems with the Truecaller app in the future — something I can’t be entirely sure about after all this.”
In the closing remarks on his Facebook post, Bhagwagar urged everyone to stay vigilant in the digital age, highlighting the vulnerabilities that exist even in widely-used applications.
