Bharti Airtel recently announced that its newly launched AI-powered spam detection system has successfully flagged and blocked 122 million potential spam calls and 2.3 million spam SMS messages in just 10 days in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The telecom giant rolled out the system at the end of September as a complimentary service for all its customers. Airtel currently serves approximately 33.8 million users across the two Telugu states.
Sources have revealed that, on a national scale, the spam detection system has blocked at least a billion calls since its launch. Shivan Bhargava, CEO of Bharti Airtel for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, shared that the system was developed in-house by a team of data scientists based in Delhi NCR. The system was designed to combat the rising volume of spam and scam calls, as well as unwanted SMS messages.
Bhargava explained that the AI-driven solution utilizes a proprietary algorithm to detect and categorize calls and SMS as “suspected spam.” The system evaluates several parameters in real time, including the calling or messaging patterns of the sender, the frequency and duration of calls or SMS messages, among other metrics. By comparing this data against known spam behaviors, the system effectively flags suspicious calls and texts with a high degree of accuracy.
This solution is fortified by a dual-layered protection system. The first filter is at the network layer, while the second operates at the IT systems layer. Bhargava elaborated that every call and SMS goes through these two layers of AI protection. In just two milliseconds, the system processes a staggering 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls. This amounts to processing one trillion records in real time using the advanced capabilities of artificial intelligence.
Additionally, the system alerts customers when they receive SMS messages containing potentially malicious links. Airtel has created a centralized database of blacklisted URLs to prevent users from clicking on harmful links. Every SMS is scanned in real time by the AI algorithm to help safeguard users from potential scams or malware.
Moreover, the system can detect unusual patterns such as frequent changes in IMEI numbers, which is a common indicator of fraudulent activity. This ability to detect anomalies makes the spam detection system particularly robust against new tactics employed by scammers and fraudsters.
Airtel’s spam detection system represents a significant step forward in tackling the growing issue of unsolicited and potentially harmful communications. As spam calls and messages continue to rise, especially in India, such AI-driven solutions provide a much-needed layer of security for consumers. The telecom company’s decision to make this service available for free demonstrates its commitment to improving customer experience and ensuring the safety and privacy of its users.
In summary, Airtel’s AI-powered spam detection system offers an advanced and comprehensive approach to filtering spam calls and SMS messages. It uses real-time analysis, dual-layer protection, and a centralized database of blacklisted URLs to keep customers safe from potential threats, marking a significant advancement in the fight against spam and fraud in the telecom sector.