Airtel's AI flags 115 million spam attempts in TN within 12 days

Bharti-Airtel has identified over 112 million potential spam calls and 3 million spam short messaging services in Tamil Nadu in the last 12 days of the launch of its AI powered spam detection system, a company official said.

The telecom major has established an AI-powered algorithm to identify classify calls and SMS as 'suspected spam', which analyses various parameters based on the customers' usage pattern.

By cross-referencing this information against known spam patterns, the system flags suspected spam calls and SMSes accurately.

"In today's digital landscape spam calls and suspicious texts have become a major concern for customers. To address this, Airtel introduced an innovative AI-powered solution integrated into the Airtel ecosystem. This solution allows users to enjoy its benefits without needing additional downloads or complex set up," Bharti Airtel Tamil Nadu Chief Executive Officer Tarun Virmani said on Wednesday.

"This service empowers 29.8 million Airtel customers in Tamil Nadu with the peace of mind they deserve without worrying about falling victim to malicious actors," he said in a statement.

Further establishing its commitment to the safety and security of the customers, Airtel has set a new standard in the industry as a trusted telecom partner, he said in a statement.

A dual layered AI protection has two filters—one at the network layer and the second at the IT systems layer. Every call and SMS passes through this dual-layered AI shield.

Airtel has also set up a centralised data base to blacklist URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) and every short messaging services are scanned on a real-time basis. The AI solution can also detect anomalies in the usage pattern of a customer including frequent IMEI changes or unique mobile handset numbers.

By layering these protective measures, the company is ensuring its customers to receive the maximum level of defence against the evolving landscape of spam and fraud threats, the company added.