Call was connecting 40 seconds late due to cyber fraud prevention message
If any unknown person asks for your bank account, OTP, KYC or other private information, do not give it at all. The government has stopped Amitabh Bachchan's voice message that was heard for the first 40 seconds of every phone call.
It was started in September 2024 to spread awareness about cyber fraud, but people were troubled by it during emergency calling. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also said in Indore this week - I too got troubled by it.
Caller tune was started in September 2024
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center of the Union Home Ministry started this awareness campaign in September 2024 in view of increasing cases of cyber crime.
It contained a 40-second long message in Amitabh Bachchan's voice. It was warning people about the dangers of fake calls, unknown links and sharing OTPs.
Initially this initiative was highly praised, because thousands of people in the country are becoming victims of cyber fraud every day, but gradually this caller tune became a headache for people.
People were complaining about the 40-second long message
People complained that this 40-second long message playing before every call was particularly troublesome during emergencies. Some even filed RTIs questioning its necessity.
The government first reduced the frequency of this caller tune from 8-10 times a day to just twice and turned it off during emergency calls (police, ambulance, fire brigade), but now it has been completely removed.
For several months, people were expressing their displeasure about this caller tune on social media. Many users called it 'irritating', especially considering it as a cause of delay during emergency calls.
Amitabh Bachchan was being trolled on social media
Recently, Amitabh Bachchan had to face trolling due to this caller tune. Late Monday night (June 23), Amitabh Bachchan wrote from his official X account, 'Yes, sir, I am also a fan.' After a while, he corrected and wrote again, 'Huzoor, not Hijoor. Writing mistake, please forgive.'
On this, a troller commented on Big B's cyber crime caller tune - 'Then stop talking on calls brother.' In response, Big B wrote - 'Tell the government brother, they asked us to do so we did.'
Controversy happened during Covid pandemic too
This is not the first time when there has been controversy over Amitabh Bachchan's voice caller tune. During Covid-19, an awareness message was played in his voice. It advised about wearing masks, social distancing and hand sanitization.
The controversy arose when Amitabh Bachchan and some members of his family got infected with corona. At that time, a user frustrated with the caller tune had filed a PIL in Delhi High Court, demanding removal of his voice.
Why are caller tunes used?
Caller tunes are considered an effective medium of awareness in India, as the number of telephone users in the country is very high. Especially in rural areas, where internet and TV access may be limited, messages easily reach people through caller tunes. However, people also get frustrated from hearing the same message for a long time, as seen in the case of COVID and cyber crime caller tunes.
Advice for preventing cyber crime
Even though the caller tune has been discontinued, caution is still necessary to prevent cyber crime. The government has advised that if you become a victim of cyber fraud, immediately call the helpline number 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
