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. Read more in the FAQ section. The app uses Wi-Fi or 3G/4G network available on the phone to make the calls. However it doesn’t support incoming calls or messaging. The app also provides a Callback feature, which allows users to make call even in areas with low-quality mobile internet connectivity. It’s also possible to call people who don’t have WePhone app installed on their phones. Though the app in free to download, users need to purchase call credits within the app to make calls. According to the WePhone website call rates for India varies between Rs 1.20 per minutes and Rs 1.80 per minute, depending on the plan the user is on (Standard, Gold or VIP). Currently, both the Android and iOS versions of the app are still available on the respective…
