If an unknown person asks for your bank account details, OTP, KYC, or other personal information, do not provide it. The government has stopped the voice message of Amitabh Bachchan’s voice, which was heard for the first 40 seconds of every call.
It was started in September 2024 to promote awareness about cybercrime; however, people were agitated during emergency calls. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also said in Indore this week – I am also upset with this.
The caller tune started in September 2024.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center of the Union Home Ministry launched an awareness campaign in September 2024 to address rising cybercrime rates.
It had a 40-second-long message in the voice of Amitabh Bachchan. In this, people were being warned about the dangers of fake calls, unknown links, and sharing OTP.
Initially, this initiative was widely praised, as thousands of people in the country fall prey to cyber fraud every day. However, it gradually 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 very annoying, especially in emergencies. Some even filed RTIs and questioned its need.
The government first reduced the frequency of this caller tune from 8-10 times a day to just twice, and it was turned off during emergency calls (police, ambulance, fire brigade), but now it has been completely removed.
For the past few months, people on social media were expressing their displeasure over this caller tune. Many users called it ‘annoying’, especially during emergency calls, considering it the reason for the delay.
Amitabh Bachchan was getting mocked on social media.
Recently, Amitabh Bachchan also had to face trolling due to this caller tune. Late Monday night (23 June), Amitabh Bachchan wrote from his official X account, ‘Yes, Hizoor, I am also a fan.’ After some time, he corrected it and wrote again, ‘Huzoor, not Hizoor. Mistake in writing, please forgive me.’
On this, a troll said on Big B’s cyber crime caller tune – ‘So stop speaking on calls, brother.’ In response to this, Big B wrote – ‘Tell the government, brother, they did what they told us.’
There was controversy during the COVID pandemic as well
This is not the first time there has been a commotion over a caller’s music sung by Amitabh Bachchan. During COVID-19, an awareness message was played in his voice. It advised wearing masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing.
There was controversy over this when Amitabh Bachchan and some of his family members were infected with COVID-19. At that time, a user, upset with the caller tune, had also filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court, demanding the removal of his voice.
Why are caller tunes used?
Caller tune is considered an effective means 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, the message reaches people easily through a caller tune. However, people also get upset by listening to the same message for a long time, as seen in the case of COVID and cybercrime caller tunes.
Advice to avoid cybercrime
Even if the caller tune has been stopped, caution is still necessary to avoid cybercrime. The government has advised that if you become a victim of cyber fraud, please call the helpline at 1930 or lodge a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in immediately.
