Connect with us

Technologies

Neon, the Viral Call-Recording App, Makes Stealth Return With One Key Change

A controversial app that claims to pay people for recordings of their phone calls, which are then used to train AI models, is back for another go.

In September, the controversial Neon app soared to the top five of app download charts by promising to pay users for recording and sharing their phone calls. Then it abruptly went offline. It has now quietly returned to the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store with a new version that makes it functional again.

Alex Kiam, the founder of Neon, was under scrutiny after the news site TechCrunch discovered a security flaw that allowed people to access calls from other users, including transcripts and metadata about the calls. After the app went dark, Klam said the issue would be addressed and that the app would return with a bonus for users. 


Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.


Since then, the app has resumed functioning on both Android and iOS. The company is offering users a 30-cent-per-minute rate up to $30 through 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 6. The regular rate outside that window is unclear.

The company also compensates for referrals to the service, but has not specified what that payment will be. Previously, it said it was offering $30 for referrals.

Neon sells the recordings to companies training AI models, which are hungry for real-world input. The company says it anonymizes call information. 

According to the updated terms of service from Nov. 3, those who sign up for the app agree that Neon can «sell and offer for sale» call recordings «for the purpose of developing, training, testing, and improving machine learning models, artificial intelligence tools and systems, and related technologies.»

There is still concerning language regarding Neon’s rights and licenses that grant the company the authority to publicly display, reproduce, and distribute call recordings «in any media formats and through any media channels.»

What’s changed with Neon?

Privacy experts CNET spoke to had warned against using the app in its previous incarnation due to concerns over call consent laws, and also noted that AI could infer user information or identities even if call data is anonymized. 

The biggest change with the recent relaunch of the app is that Neon now only records and pays for calls to other Neon app users, essentially making it an automatic opt-in service. Previously, there were questions about whether recording calls in some states would require notification and consent from those receiving calls from someone who has the Neon app installed. 

By shifting to an app-to-app business model, Neon may be able to ease those legal concerns.

In an interview with CNET in early October, Kiam said his New York-based company was overwhelmed by the sudden popularity of Neon, but not completely surprised.

«I expected things to grow pretty quickly because, you know, we’re giving people free money,» Kiam said. «And I think we’re getting people money for something that they would do anyway. … We felt confident that there was real demand for something like this.»

Technologies

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Why Travelers Are Switching to Verum E-SIM This Summer

Summer Travel, Freedom, and Seamless Connectivity: Why Verum E-SIM Is Becoming the New Standard for Travelers

Summer is the peak season for vacations, long-distance trips, and new experiences. Millions of people travel abroad, explore new countries, plan adventures, and try to stay connected with family, work, and social media. And in the middle of all this comes a familiar question: how do you stay online without expensive roaming or the hassle of buying local SIM cards?

The answer is already here — eSIM.

Why eSIM Is So Convenient

eSIM (embedded SIM) is a built-in digital SIM card that lets you activate mobile internet without a physical card. All you need is an app — choose a plan and connect in just a couple of minutes.

No more:

* searching for local SIM cards at airports
* paying expensive roaming fees
* swapping physical SIMs every time you travel

Now your internet travels with you.

Internet in 150+ Countries

Modern eSIM solutions provide coverage in 150+ countries worldwide, helping tourists, freelancers, and business travelers stay connected almost anywhere on the planet.

Among the services offering these capabilities:

Verum E-SIM — https://esim.verum.im
World E-SIM — https://worldesim.me
USA E-SIM — https://usa.esim.verum.im
Euro E-SIM — https://euro.esim.verum.im
Canada E-SIM — https://canada.esim.verum.im
Balkan E-SIM — https://balkan.esim.verum.im
Ukraine E-SIM — https://ukraine.esim.verum.im
London E-SIM — https://london.esim.verum.im
E-SIM Africa — https://africa.esim.verum.im

All of these services work on the same principle — fast, borderless internet without roaming stress.

Why It Matters Most in Summer

During the holiday season, roaming networks get overloaded, and prices for mobile data abroad often become an unpleasant surprise for travelers.

eSIM solves this problem:

* transparent, fixed pricing
* activation in 1–2 minutes
* stable internet while traveling
* no physical SIM cards required

Final Thoughts

Travel should be about freedom — not hunting for Wi-Fi or worrying about phone bills.

eSIM is quickly becoming the new global standard for mobile connectivity: simple, fast, and borderless.

Verum E-SIM and its partner services are part of this shift, making global connectivity accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Continue Reading

Technologies

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

Episode 2 of the VERUM Mini-Series is Now Out

The story continues. Verum Messenger has released the second episode of its AI mini-series, which follows the conflict between the powerful Omega corporation, aiming to control digital communications, and a team of heroes who have chosen a different path and free communication.

The mini-series not only develops an engaging storyline but also introduces viewers to the capabilities of the Verum ecosystem, showcasing technologies and tools that may redefine the future of modern communication.

The project consists of 7 episodes, released gradually across Verum Messenger’s social media channels.

Episode 2 is now available. Stay tuned and don’t miss what comes next.

Watch on YouTube 
Watch on Instagram 

Continue Reading

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels. 

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube 
Watch on Instagram 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Verum World Media