Cloaked, a privacy-focused startup backed by Lux Capital, officially launched an AI-powered caller screening tool and a comprehensive dark web monitoring service today. These new features aim to provide users with proactive identity protection by filtering malicious calls and identifying personal data leaks in real time.
Introducing “Call Guard”: AI-Driven Protection
The core of the update is “Call Guard,” a tool designed to intercept calls from unknown numbers. Unlike traditional blocking apps, this system engages with the caller to determine their intent before the phone rings for the user. By filtering out spam, scams, and even sophisticated AI-based malicious agents, the tool removes the burden of decision-making from the consumer.
Users maintain full transparency, with the ability to view call transcripts in real time. If a user needs to intervene, they can take control of the call at any point. This infrastructure leverages Cloaked’s existing phone masking technology, which allows users to generate secondary numbers to protect their primary identity.
According to CEO Arjun Bhatnagar, the platform is specifically being trained to counter “bad AI agents” that have become increasingly prevalent in spam and political outreach campaigns. While tech giants like Google and Apple are exploring similar territory, Bhatnagar argues that Cloaked’s edge lies in deep personalization and higher retention rates.
Expanding Beyond Inbound Calls
Cloaked is not stopping at inbound filtering. The company is developing an outbound call facility that will deploy AI bots to handle time-consuming tasks, such as waiting on hold for customer support or scheduling appointments. Furthermore, the startup is currently working on an integrated eSIM product to expand its connectivity suite.
Dark Web Monitoring and Data Deletion
Alongside the call features, Cloaked has introduced a robust dark web monitoring tool. This system scans data brokers, breach repositories, Telegram channels, Discord servers, and other forums for sensitive information, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Passport and driver’s license details
- Personal addresses and email accounts
- Family member identifiers
When leaks are detected, the platform alerts users and categorizes the events as either active or historical. To complement this, Cloaked operates a data deletion program that sends programmatic and legal requests to brokers and websites. To date, the company claims to have facilitated the removal of over 170 million records from the web.
Financial Growth and Future Roadmap
The startup is currently experiencing significant momentum, reporting over 100,000 new paying customers since the start of the year. Following a total of $29 million raised through 2023, the company has secured an additional $11 million in fresh funding. While Cloaked has not yet disclosed the specific investors or the formal round status, it intends to finalize a larger funding round by the end of this year.
For more information on their privacy suite, visit Cloaked.