New Delhi : In the last few days, many smartphone users have noticed that when they receive calls, such names are appearing on the screen which they have never saved. At first glance this seemed like an error, but actually this is happening because the testing process of CNAP, a major change in the direction of caller identification, is going on in the country. After the government approved this system, telecom companies have started implementing it on a limited scale, due to which some consumers are seeing unexpected names.

What is CNAP and how does it work?
Let us tell you that CNAP i.e. Calling Name Presentation is a new government caller ID system, the purpose of which is to make phone call identification more accurate and reliable. This technology uses government databases to identify the caller’s number. When someone calls you, the first thing that appears on the screen is the Aadhaar-verified name associated with that number. Immediately after, if you have saved that number under a different name in your phone, that custom name replaces it. This arrangement makes it clear that the real, official identity of the caller will be displayed first and the name from your private list later.

Its role in preventing fraud
Spam calls and fraud from unknown numbers have been a big problem for people in India for a long time. The introduction of CNAP is an effort towards reducing this challenge. Because the information displayed comes directly from government records, the possibility of confusion about the credibility of the caller is reduced. Users who till now relied on apps like Truecaller can now expect more authentic identification, which will also reduce their hesitation to pick up stranger numbers.

Questions arising regarding privacy and mistaken identity
With the testing of the new system, questions to privacy and data security have also started emerging. Many users are curious to know whether they will be able to make changes in their Aadhaar-linked name or whether their name will be compulsorily visible to every call receiver. Some people are also worried about how the situation will be rectified if incorrect or outdated information appears. Since CNAP is still in the testing phase, clear guidelines on these topics are yet to come. As it is implemented across the country, more information and improvements on these aspects are expected to emerge.