The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has asked the Department of Telecom (DoT) to block the Skype-like low-cost international calling app WePhone as it allows spoofing of caller ID making it difficult to identify or locate the actual caller, reports PTI. The app requires users to verify their phone numbers at the time of installation, but later provides an option to disable or hide the number so that it doesn’t reflect on Caller Line Identification (CLI).
Calls made from WePhone displays a US number (+17777777777) on the receiver’s caller ID by default, though users can later set any number they want as the display number or even hide it. This seems to be the IB’s primary contention against the app.
‘We Phone’ application, which offers call service similar to Skype, allows user to make free calls using mobile internet service to other subscriber having same application.
The application after verifying user’s phone number at the time of installation gives an option to disable the number to hide it.
The Intelligence agency has written that the server of We Phone is located outside India and any call made from We Phone is routed through the server located abroad and therefore it is difficult to identify and locate the actual calling number or user.
When checked at Android and iOS, the application is still available and running.
