The ability to conceal a caller’s identifying information during a phone call on Android devices typically involves utilizing a prefix code entered before the intended recipient’s phone number. This functionality, often referred to as “caller ID blocking,” allows the caller to prevent their number from being displayed on the recipient’s device. For instance, a user might dial *67 followed by the phone number to initiate a call where their own number is suppressed from appearing on the receiving device’s caller ID display.
Preserving anonymity during phone communications can be beneficial in various situations, ranging from safeguarding personal information when contacting unfamiliar entities to conducting market research or whistleblowing while minimizing the risk of personal exposure. Historically, such methods were commonly used to protect privacy in sensitive communications, predating modern data protection laws and digital communication security measures. The availability of this feature underscores a continued interest in controlling the dissemination of personal identifying information in telecommunications.