Airtel CEO Highlights Spam-Fighting Network as Crackdown on Cyber Fraud Intensifies

Airtel CEO Highlights Spam-Fighting Network as Crackdown on Cyber Fraud Intensifies

Bharti Airtel is intensifying its efforts to combat the escalating issue of cyber fraud through the use of network intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze patterns and effectively identify spammers. CEO Gopal Vittal emphasized the importance of customer vigilance regarding the newly introduced 'suspected spam' indicator now available to users.

In collaboration with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Airtel is joining the industry-wide initiative to tackle the spam menace. The regulator's updated directive regarding whitelisted (approved) URLs became effective on October 1, reinforcing measures to protect consumers from unwanted communications. In response to inquiries, an HDFC Bank representative confirmed compliance with the latest regulations and expressed confidence in their operations.

In a recent communication to subscribers, Vittal assured them that Airtel will persist in its mission to identify verified scammers and permanently block them from the network. He declared that the new solution positions Airtel as India's first Spam Fighting Network, enhancing user confidence and security when encountering spam calls or messages.

Over the past six months, Airtel has harnessed its network intelligence and AI capabilities to scrutinize call patterns and accurately pinpoint spammers. Vittal highlighted the fact that scammers often target everyday individuals with phishing attempts and fraudulent schemes, urging users to remain alert as most cyber fraud begins with a simple phone call or SMS.

The CEO noted that Airtel has made significant strides in identifying spam numbers. Once a number is flagged, users automatically receive a 'Suspected Spam' alert when receiving calls or SMS from those numbers. This proactive approach ensures that customers are warned about messages containing malicious links or fraudulent content.

Vittal stressed that Airtel's goal is to integrate these spam alerts seamlessly into the mobile experience. Subscribers will not need to download any apps, enable features, or grant permissions, as the service operates in the background without any additional charges.

This announcement holds particular importance in light of TRAI's recent efforts to enforce stricter regulations against telemarketers and spammers to safeguard consumers from deceptive practices. TRAI had previously instructed telecom operators to cease the transmission of unwhitelisted messages by September 1, a deadline that was extended to October 1 after some operators requested additional time.