Introduction
In today’s world, where digital communication has become the norm, phone calls remain an essential mode of communication. However, with the rise of spam calls, it has become challenging to identify genuine calls. In 2023, the telecom industry has introduced a new feature to identify genuine calls – the checkmark. In this article, we will explore what the checkmark means and how it works.
What is the Checkmark on Phone Calls?
The checkmark on phone calls indicates that the carrier has verified the authenticity of the call. It means that the call is coming from a legitimate source and not a spam or robocall. The checkmark appears on the call screen next to the caller’s name or number to indicate that the call has been verified.
How Does the Checkmark Work?
The checkmark works by using a technology called STIR/SHAKEN. STIR/SHAKEN stands for Secure Telephone Identity Revisited (STIR) and Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs (SHAKEN). It is a system that verifies the authenticity of a call by confirming that the caller’s number has not been spoofed. When a call is made, the caller’s carrier uses STIR/SHAKEN to create a digital signature that verifies the authenticity of the call. The signature is then sent to the recipient’s carrier, which verifies the signature and adds the checkmark to the call screen.
Benefits of the Checkmark
The checkmark brings several benefits to phone users. Firstly, it helps to identify genuine calls, which reduces the chances of falling victim to scams. Secondly, it helps to increase trust in phone calls, which encourages people to answer calls from unknown numbers. Finally, it helps to reduce the number of spam calls, which can be annoying and disruptive.
How to Ensure the Checkmark is Enabled on Your Phone
To ensure the checkmark is enabled on your phone, you need to make sure that your carrier supports STIR/SHAKEN. Most carriers have already implemented STIR/SHAKEN, but some may still be in the process of implementing it. If your carrier supports STIR/SHAKEN, you don’t need to do anything – the checkmark will automatically appear on verified calls.
What Happens if a Call is Not Verified?
If a call is not verified, it means that the caller’s carrier did not use STIR/SHAKEN to create a digital signature. It could be because the caller’s carrier does not support STIR/SHAKEN or because the caller is using a third-party app that does not support STIR/SHAKEN. In such cases, the checkmark will not appear on the call screen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the checkmark on phone calls is a new feature introduced in 2023 to help identify genuine calls. It works by using STIR/SHAKEN technology to verify the authenticity of the call. The checkmark brings several benefits, including reducing the chances of falling victim to scams, increasing trust in phone calls, and reducing the number of spam calls. If you want to ensure the checkmark is enabled on your phone, make sure your carrier supports STIR/SHAKEN.