122 million spam calls blocked in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana: Airtel’s AI solution goes nationwide

Hyderabad: Airtel has introduced a new AI-powered spam detection system across India, designed to tackle the increasing menace of spam calls and SMS.

Since its launch on September 27, 2024, the system has already blocked 122 million spam calls and 2.3 million spam messages in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone.

The feature, now available nationwide, provides Airtel customers with automatic protection without the need for additional downloads or manual activation.

Spam Calls: A Growing National Concern

India ranks fourth globally in terms of spam calls, with 60% of citizens receiving more than three spam calls daily. An overwhelming 87% of the population receives unwanted SMS messages, some containing links from cybercriminals and scammers. Globally, financial fraud from such scams amounts to $3 billion each year.

Spam arrives in various forms: messages, links, URLs, and calls. Fraudsters frequently switch phone numbers and SIM cards to evade detection, making it harder for existing solutions to keep pace.

Existing Solutions Are Insufficient

Popular solutions like crowdsourcing apps (e.g., Truecaller) rely on user feedback but have limitations. These apps often struggle with privacy concerns and cannot fully prevent fraud, as they depend on manually sourced data. Only about 30% of users reportedly experience the full effectiveness of such products. As fraudsters continually change devices and SIMs, these apps face challenges in keeping up.

Shivan Bhargava, CEO for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala at Bharti Airtel, emphasized, “Fraudsters are becoming increasingly smarter by changing their devices and SIM cards. Airtel’s AI-powered solution addresses these challenges with real-time network intelligence and AI analysis, moving beyond simple user feedback.”

Airtel’s AI-Powered Spam Filter: A Comprehensive Solution

Airtel developed its AI-powered spam filter after more than a year of research, involving 10,000 man-hours from data scientists and over 12 months of rigorous testing. The solution was launched nationwide in response to government concerns over rising spam and fraud.

The AI-powered system processes 2.5 billion calls and 1.5 billion SMS messages daily, analyzing several factors such as call frequency, SIM changes, geographic distribution, and government input. Each call or SMS is assessed in just two milliseconds, providing real-time protection.

Large-Scale, Real-Time Data Analysis

Airtel’s system evaluates massive volumes of data, including:

• Incoming and outgoing call and SMS trends

• Frequency of device and SIM changes

• Distinct geographic locations of calls

• DND (Do Not Disturb) complaints

• Government agency inputs

• Retail hotspots and data session usage

• Anomalies like no data usage or frequent device changes, indicators often linked to fraud.

By analyzing 1 trillion data points daily, the system accurately detects and blocks suspected spam calls and messages in real time.

Nationwide Protection for All Airtel Customers

The AI-powered spam filter is automatically activated for all Airtel customers nationwide, protecting them without requiring any additional downloads or changes to their mobile experience. Airtel customers across the country benefit from real-time alerts for suspicious messages, including warnings about potentially malicious links.

Shivan Bhargava highlighted, “This AI-powered solution reinforces Airtel’s commitment to customer safety, allowing users to continue their daily activities without worrying about potential spam or fraud. Seamlessly integrated into Airtel’s network, the solution provides comprehensive protection without disrupting the mobile experience.”

Nationwide Results

Nationally, the AI-powered system has already identified 2 million spammers, achieving a 99.5% reduction in spam SMS and a 97% reduction in spam calls across the country.

Free and Automatic Activation

This advanced feature is available free of charge for all Airtel mobile users, making it one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly solutions against spam and fraud in the telecom sector.

Next Steps for Airtel

Looking forward, Airtel plans to continually refine its spam filter system, working with institutions like HDFC and other major banks to ensure that customers receive only genuine communication, further reducing the risk of fraud. Airtel is committed to protecting its customers nationwide from the growing threat of spam and cyber fraud.