Cloaked App Enhances Privacy with AI Caller Screening
▼ Summary
– Cloaked launched an AI-powered caller screening feature (Call Guard) that filters spam/scam calls by conversing with unknown callers, similar to Google and Apple’s offerings.
– The app provides real-time call transcripts and leverages phone infrastructure to mask users’ real numbers, protecting them from scams.
– Cloaked is developing an outbound call feature using AI bots for customer support and appointments, along with an upcoming eSIM product.
– The startup introduced a dark web monitoring tool that alerts users about leaked personal data (e.g., SSNs, emails) and helps request data deletion from brokers.
– Cloaked has over 100,000 paying customers, raised $40M total ($11M recently), and plans to close a formal funding round by year-end.
Privacy-focused app Cloaked has introduced new AI-powered features designed to combat spam calls and monitor personal data exposure on the dark web. The latest update includes Call Guard, an intelligent screening tool that intercepts unknown callers, analyzes their intent using artificial intelligence, and filters out potential scams without requiring user intervention.
Unlike basic caller ID services, Cloaked’s AI engages in real conversations with callers, transcribing interactions so users can review them before deciding whether to take over the call. The system builds on the company’s existing infrastructure for generating masked phone numbers, adding an extra layer of security against fraudsters.
CEO Arjun Bhatnagar explained that traditional call-screening solutions often fail to retain users due to limited personalization. Cloaked’s approach goes beyond simply asking for a caller’s name, it identifies patterns in spam, political outreach, and even AI-generated scam calls. The company is also developing an outbound call feature where AI bots handle wait times during customer service interactions or appointment bookings.
Beyond call protection, Cloaked now scans the dark web for compromised personal data, including Social Security numbers, emails, and financial details. The tool monitors breaches, forums, and data broker sites, alerting users to leaks and categorizing them by severity. A data deletion service further helps users remove exposed information, having already scrubbed over 170 million records from the web.
With 100,000 paying customers added this year, Cloaked is experiencing rapid growth. The startup, backed by Lux Capital, has secured an additional $11 million in funding ahead of a formal round expected later this year. Future plans include launching an eSIM product, expanding its suite of privacy tools for consumers.
(Source: TechCrunch)
