Astrotalk Scam: What All You Need to Know?

Astrotalk, which terms itself as a marketplace connecting customers with 'astrologers' for horoscope readings, birth chart analysis, live prayers, and more, has been at the center of severe scrutiny after it was exposed by 'Gyan Therapy', a popular YouTube channel with over three million subscribers. The YouTuber conducted a sting operation, which targeted a few self-proclaimed astrologers on Astrotalk's platform.

In addition, the ‘spiritual’ tech venture announced a significant financial milestone in February, securing over Rs. 160 Crores during a Series A funding round led by Left Lane Capital, a venture capital entity specializing in burgeoning consumer and internet tech firms based out of New York. Astrotalk's founder, Puneet Gupta, previously boasted about the platform's large customer base, claiming to have served over 4 crore individuals and projecting significant profit margins of upward over Rs. 125 Crore for the fiscal year 2024.

The Gyan Therapy’s Sting Operation

Beginning with targeted commercials that offered customized astrological counsel, Gyan Therapy ventured into the realm of Astrotalk. He chose to investigate the app directly because he was curious. The YouTuber showed how the Astrotalk astrologers tricked people into buying stuff by using various strategies. Early free consultations frequently resulted in expensive treatments, and hasty decisions based on fear of unfavorable outcomes were made by applying pressure.

The sting operation of Gyan Therapy cited interactions arranged with the astrologers of the Astrotalk app, in which the YouTuber provided appropriate personal details. Through a conversation with an astrologer by the name of Mohit, the YouTuber was informed that not only was he going to get a job very soon but also that his ailing mother was going to get much better very shortly. Things took a somber turn, so to speak when the YouTuber told the astrologer that his mother died two months ago, which raised questions about the authenticity of Mohit as an astrologer.

Gyan Therapy conversed with Ashok, another Astrotalk "astrologer," later in the sting. When Ashok revealed his genuine identity during their taped chat, it became clear that he was a UPSC candidate who was using his side gig as an astrologer to supplement his income.

The investigation's findings by Gyan Therapy highlight more general concerns about Astrotalk and related networks. The YouTuber brought attention to how Astrotalk's service may be predatory by taking advantage of weak people who are looking for support or direction at difficult times in their lives, for job loss, or for personal issues.

What do You Need to Know?

Some astrology apps request permission to view your contact list, your location, and even your browsing history. This will enable the development of a much more specific profile of you for use in behaviorally targeted advertising or any number of other questionably ethical purposes.

While the internet is at the core of daily life, it is expected that these types of fraud can happen to anyone. However, a little care and adequate caution will keep you rid of such unnecessary attacks on your finances.

Reading the policy on privacy and terms of service for the app is ideal for safeguarding private information while using an astrology app. Every time you install an application on your device, use a vetted app. Search for applications with good reputations and reviews by other users, and be aware of how much personal information you give to the application. Turn off location tracking, camera access, and all the permissions that you don't need.

Conclusion

While services like AstroTalk and other Astro apps, for instance, do make the services of astrology and other allied fields more accessible, they do come with significant risks related to misinformation and scams. The sting operation at Gyan Therapy was done to prove that a section of the astrologers on these sites dupe and fleece vulnerable users with fabricated predictions or false promises. 

One should go through the policies of privacy, limit the permissions of these apps, and go for services provided by trusted astrologers to avoid falling prey to scams and to ensure access to genuine guidance. Customized consultation with expert astrologers, instead of taking help from automated online apps, would provide an authentic and worthy experience of astrological consultation.