South Africans frustrated by relentless spam calls now have a new homegrown tool designed to help block unwanted callers while giving users more control over their personal information, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Built to help users fight unwanted marketing
The new Android app, FokOffMense (FOM), was developed by South African IT specialist Mathew Riddle after growing tired of unsolicited marketing calls. According to an interview with EWN, the app allows users to report spam numbers, block repeat offenders and share information with a community database so others can identify nuisance callers before answering.
The app also helps users exercise their rights under South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Users can send formal requests asking companies to remove their personal information from marketing databases.
If a company fails to respond within 30 days, the app keeps a record that can support a complaint to the Information Regulator.
Beyond blocking calls, FOM includes an exposure score that checks whether an email address has appeared in known data breaches and recommends steps such as enabling two-factor authentication to improve account security.
According to its Google Play listing, the app offers a free version with limited features, alongside Premium and Family subscription options. It is currently available for Android devices, with an iPhone version in development. Google Play says users can report spam calls and SMSes, look up suspicious numbers, receive breach alerts and manage POPIA requests from within the app.
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