Truecaller Launches Travel eSIM Service Amid Privacy Concerns
Globally popular caller identification and spam-blocking platform Truecaller has entered an entirely new business segment by launching a ‘Travel eSIM’ service for international travelers. Founded in Stockholm in 2009, the Swedish company will now allow users to purchase international mobile data packages directly from within the app while traveling abroad.
However, while the move into the mobile data business beyond advertising and subscriptions has surprised many, technology experts are once again raising concerns over the company’s past record regarding user privacy and data security.
High-Speed Data Service in 29 Countries
The new Travel eSIM is a fully digital mobile data service. In the initial phase, it has been launched in 29 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and South Africa. According to Truecaller, the eSIM will eventually provide high-speed internet coverage in more than 150 countries worldwide.
The service is being operated using the ‘Simless OS’ platform developed by telecom technology firm Telness Tech. Currently, iPhone users can purchase the eSIM directly from the Truecaller app, while Android users can buy and activate it through the company’s website and web channels. Packages range from 1GB for 7 days up to 20GB valid for 30 days.
As the service is entirely data-based, users will need to rely on apps such as WhatsApp, Signal, or FaceTime for voice calls and messaging.
Why Has Truecaller Entered the eSIM Business?
According to the company’s first-quarter financial report for 2026, Truecaller saw its net sales decline by nearly 27 percent year-on-year to 361.6 million Swedish kronor. At the same time, its primary source of income—advertising revenue—fell by around 34 percent.
Industry observers believe the slowdown in its core business and growing financial pressure prompted the company to search for alternative revenue streams through the eSIM market. However, the sector is already dominated by established global brands such as Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad.
Truecaller’s biggest advantage remains its massive global user base, with the app already installed on more than 500 million devices worldwide.
India Excluded, Security Debate Persists
Interestingly, despite India being Truecaller’s largest market, the country has been excluded from the first phase of the Travel eSIM rollout. Although the company has not provided an official explanation, analysts believe India’s strict licensing and regulatory requirements surrounding travel eSIM services may have delayed the launch there.
At the same time, lingering privacy controversies surrounding Truecaller could create hesitation among customers. In 2019, reports claimed that sensitive data belonging to nearly 30 million users—including phone numbers, names, email addresses, cities, and Facebook IDs—had appeared for sale on the dark web. Although the company denied any breach of its database, cybersecurity experts believe such incidents may still discourage users from trusting the platform with internet and eSIM services.
DBTech/BMT/OR
