New Delhi: Residents of New Delhi can now breathe a sigh of relief after the government has finally decided to remove the prominent Amitabh Bachchan voice warning about cybercrime from phone calls. Users will no longer be greeted with the iconic actor’s voice upon dialing a number, allowing for direct connection to the intended recipient.
For several months, whenever someone in India called a number, they were first met with Amitabh Bachchan’s voice delivering warnings about cyber fraud and advising caution. The purpose of this tune was to raise awareness about cyber scams. However, as time went on, the tune became a source of frustration for the general public.
Reasons for Public Frustration
Initially, the cyber awareness caller tune was well-received. However, it gradually became an annoyance, particularly when someone needed to make an urgent call. Many users complained that they couldn’t reach emergency services like ambulances, police, or other vital services in time because the Amitabh Bachchan voice played for 30 to 40 seconds.
This frustration led to widespread reactions on social media. Users on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram expressed their discontent. Some made light of the situation, while others blamed Amitabh Bachchan directly. Some even suggested that the actor’s voice was hindering their ability to communicate in emergencies.
Government’s Decision to Remove the Tune
According to media reports, the decision was made after the completion of a government-led cyber awareness campaign. Sources indicated that the campaign was intended to run for a limited period, and its timeframe has now concluded. Furthermore, considering the rising complaints and public dissatisfaction, the government opted to remove the caller tune.
The campaign aimed to spread awareness about cyber crimes across the country. There had been a significant increase in online fraud, fake links, OTP scams, and UPI scams. The initiative utilized Amitabh Bachchan’s popularity and credibility to alert the public to these threats.
Amitabh Bachchan Targeted by Online Criticism (Trolling)
As public frustration with the tune grew, so did the criticism directed at Amitabh Bachchan on social media. Many users “trolled” the actor, expressing their inability to tolerate hearing his voice on phone calls. Some made jokes, while others responded with anger, even suggesting that his voice was a hindrance during emergencies.
Amitabh Bachchan himself responded to the trolling, stating that he had no personal involvement in the decision. In response to a user’s tweet, he wrote that he simply followed the government’s instructions, emphasizing that he was merely providing his voice as requested.
Previous Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Notably, this wasn’t the first time Amitabh Bachchan’s voice had been used on phone calls. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the threat of the virus was high, he used a caller tune to encourage people to wear masks, wash their hands, and maintain social distancing. That tune also ran for several months and initially garnered positive feedback, but eventually became a source of annoyance as well. The current cyber fraud-related tune has created a similar situation.
Relief Expressed by the Public
With the government’s decision to remove the tune, there has been widespread relief expressed on social media. Many users on Twitter have expressed their happiness at being freed from the recurring warnings. Some have even jokingly stated that phone calls are now feeling easier to make again.
