Introduction
Unwanted promotional calls, spam messages, and online scams have become all too common, requiring telecom operators to step up their game to protect consumers. Under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation (TCCPR), telecom operators are required to implement systems to detect, filter, and block promotional messages and calls from unregistered telemarketers.
From filtering out suspicious calls to making it easier to register complaints through the Do Not Disturb (DND) service (covered in our previous blog), telecom companies are actively defending consumers. In this blog, we are unpacking how Safer Internet India members: Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Truecaller are leading the charge in creating initiatives to curb spam and fraud.
Airtel
Airtel has introduced several initiatives to crack down on online spam and fraud. These include –
- AI-powered Fraud Detection Solution – Airtel has rolled out a smart new AI-powered safety tool that automatically blocks scam websites whether the link comes through SMS, WhatsApp, email, or anywhere else. This solution is automatically enabled for Airtel’s mobile and broadband networks. The solution’s rollout has achieved significant success, blocking over 1.8 lakh malicious links in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, protecting more than 5 million users.
Airtel’s AI-Powered Solution
- Network-based, AI-powered Spam Detection Solution – Airtel’s network-level AI can flag scam calls before users pick up. It spots warning signs such as frequent SIM swaps, or user behaviour to identify suspicious activity. The solution is auto-activated for all Airtel customers without any additional requirements. The latest upgrade now offers users spam alerts in nine Indian languages and can spot and flag calls and messages from international spam numbers too.
Airtel’s Upgraded Network-based AI-powered spam solution
- Airtel Payment Bank’s Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s (I4C) API integration – Airtel Payments Bank became the first payments bank to integrate with Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre’s (I4C) real-time API. This integration automates manual processes for handling complaints filed through I4C and enables real-time information sharing between Airtel Payments Bank, I4C and the Ministry of Home Affairs for quicker cybercrime redressal.
Airtel has recently approached over 40 banks and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to create a combined list of known malicious financial domains and complement existing fraud initiatives. It has also proposed to join hands with other telcos such as Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea to create a joint initiative against frauds and scams.
Vodafone Idea
Vodafone Idea (Vi) has undertaken several to curb the spread of online spam and fraud proactively. These include –
- AI-based spam solution – Vi has rolled out an AI and machine learning-based spam filter that works behind the scenes to catch spam messages before they reach users. This solution constantly analyses messages in real time by looking at red flags such as phishing links, unusual sender details and suspicious words associated with spam messages. The AI/ML technology allows the solution to learn and adapt to new spam tricks which keep evolving.
VI’s Anti-Spam Filter Solution
- Verified Business Caller ID solution – Vi has partnered with Truecaller to help users instantly recognise genuine calls from its customer service and sales team. This allows Vi’s customers to recognise calls through identifiers such as green caller ID and verified business badge etc.
Truecaller
Truecaller is a leading caller ID and spam-blocking app globally. It offers several features and options for users to protect themselves from scams and frauds, such as –
- Scamfeed – Scamfeed is a live, user-generated stream on the Truecaller app that allows users to report, share and learn about newer scams. The Scamfeed feature turns Truecaller into a community-driven early warning system, allowing users to be vigilant and on the lookout for newer scams.
Truecaller’s Scamfeed
- Auto-Block Spam – The Truecaller app has a built-in Auto-Block Spam feature which users need to manually enable. This option allows Truecaller to identify spammers and flag such calls. Truecaller updates its spam lists daily to identify new scammers.
Truecaller’s Auto-block Spam option
- Truecaller Assistant – Available with Truecaller Premium, Truecaller Assistant is a smart voice assistant that users can activate to screen calls. Using machine learning, speech-to-text, and natural language tech, it answers unknown calls and figures out who’s calling and why, which is handy for blocking robocalls and scam calls.
Truecaller Assistant
- Truecaller Max Update – Truecaller Max’s update uses advanced AI to identify and block suspicious calls, even those from unknown numbers. It also offers offline spam filtering, allowing users’ phones to stay protected even when they not connected to the internet.
Truecaller Max Update
