This policy explains, in plain language, what WhoCalledMe does with information when you use our UK phone lookup service on the website or in the iOS and Android apps. It is not a substitute for independent legal advice. UK GDPR and PECR may apply.
Who publishes this site
WhoCalledMe is a UK-only website at whocalledme.org.uk, the WhoCalledMe iOS app on the App Store, and the Android app on Google Play. The operator can be reached through the contact form or contact@whocalledme.org.uk.
For privacy questions use the contact form or email contact@whocalledme.org.uk.
Website: what we collect
- Searches. The UK number you look up, and the time of the search. You do not need an account to search.
- Reports. The number, category, rating and description you submit. Please keep personal details out of the text.
- Accounts (optional). Email and password if you register to track removal requests or saved numbers.
- Technical data. IP address, browser type and similar logs, used to keep the site secure and to limit abuse.
- Cookies. Essential cookies for security. Google AdSense and analytics cookies are used for advertising and measurement. Third parties, including Google, may place and read cookies or use web beacons or IP addresses as a result of ads on this site. See How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps and the Cookie Policy, which includes an automatically updated cookie list. You can review or change advertising consent here: .
- Spam protection. The contact form uses Google reCAPTCHA v3 so we can block automated junk. Google receives the form token and a score; we do not use that score for advertising.
iOS app: what we collect
The app talks to the same WhoCalledMe service. In addition to searches, reports and optional account details, the app sends:
- Install identifier. A random ID created on first launch, so we can count installs and active iPhones. A new install on a new iPhone gets a new ID. This is not your Apple ID, and it is not an advertising identifier.
- Device details. Brand (Apple), device name (for example iPhone), model identifier, iOS version and app version.
- Region and timezone. The region from your iPhone language and region settings (for example GB) and the timezone (for example Europe/London). We use this to understand where the app is used. The app does not request location permission and does not collect GPS.
- App use. Named events such as app opened, search completed, report submitted, or Caller ID turned on. These events do not include the phone number you searched.
- Push token. If you allow notifications, Apple’s device token so we can send alerts you have chosen, such as scam alerts or a request to rate the app.
- Numbers you choose. Numbers you search, save, label, block or report, so those features can work. Call Identification labels and blocks stay on your iPhone. We do not receive a log of who rang you.
If you sign in, we may attach the install identifier and device details to your account so you can use saved numbers and notification preferences across the service.
What we do not collect
- Your contacts
- Your full call history or a list of who called you
- GPS or precise location
- An advertising identifier for tracking you across other companies’ apps or websites
Live Caller ID Lookup, if Apple shows WhoCalledMe in that Settings list, is designed so Apple’s system can look up a ringing number without sending us your call history. That live lookup service is not running yet. Until it is, WhoCalledMe identifies and blocks numbers on this iPhone through Call Identification, using numbers you label or block in the app and high-risk numbers from the community list.
How we use it
- To show number pages, risk information and community reports
- To label or block numbers on your iPhone when you use Call Identification
- To send notifications you have allowed
- To count daily installs, active iPhones and app opens in our operator dashboard
- To prevent spam, scraping and duplicate votes
- To handle removal requests, contact messages and account deletion
We do not sell a public list of private mobile owners. We do not use this information to track you across other companies’ apps or websites. Searches are not displayed on a named public profile.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you may ask for access, correction or erasure of personal data we hold about you, and you may object to certain processing. In the iOS app you can delete an account from Privacy Centre. You can also use the contact page or the remove information form. You can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
How long we keep it
Published reports stay while they are useful to the community, unless they are removed after review. App device records and analytics events are kept so we can operate and improve the app, and are removed when they are no longer needed or when you ask us to delete your account. Security logs are kept only as long as needed for abuse prevention.
