India's CNAP: Will Built-In Caller ID Stop Scams or Just Show Names?

• India rolls out CNAP (Calling Name Presentation), a network-level feature displaying registered caller names from telecom databases, unlike Truecaller.
• Pilot launch for CNAP is set for October 2025, with an all-India rollout expected by March 31, 2026, aiming to combat phone-based fraud.
• CNAP verifies caller identity via KYC records but does not analyze intent, detect spoofing, or flag scam patterns, limiting its anti-fraud effectiveness.
• The feature raises privacy concerns as users' registered KYC names are broadcast by default, potentially exposing personal information.
• While CNAP changes user behavior by making them more likely to answer named calls, it doesn't replace third-party apps for spam detection; caution remains vital.

Why It Matters: CNAP offers identity visibility but isn't a fraud safety net; users must remain cautious against evolving scams.