Avoid scam calls with Google’s new AI protection tool in real-time.
LAHORE – Getting scam calls on your phone through your carrier is a common problem that consumers face, especially as fraudsters become more sophisticated with number spoofing and AI voice cloning. But now, search engine giant Google is rolling out a new AI-powered security feature to its phone app that can help detect fake or impersonated calls in real-time, giving users a better chance of avoiding scams before they do harm.
This update comes at a time when impersonation scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated in Pakistan and parts of the world, and despite such increased awareness, users face unwanted situations, either receiving scam calls with fraudulent SMS containing spam links. In many cases, fraudsters first spoof a trusted phone number, often belonging to a family member, colleague, or known contact, by routing calls through Internet-based systems that make them appear legitimate.
The concern is now being amplified by AI tools that are able to mimic human voices with amazing accuracy. These deeply fake voices can sound like a real relative, employer, or authority figure, making it difficult for people to identify fraud. Google says experts increasingly believe that most users can no longer reliably distinguish between real and AI-generated voices during calls.
Google is introducing what it calls a silent authentication system. When both participants are using the Phone by Google app, their devices silently verify the authenticity of the connection in the background using end-to-end encrypted RCS signals. This process is designed to be private and does not share personal data.
If a match is detected, for example, if someone is impersonating a saved contact, the app triggers a real-time warning during the call. This alert is intended to give users pause before sharing sensitive information such as banking details or verification codes.
This feature is enabled by default, although users can turn it off in the settings if desired. Google has started rolling it out globally this month, starting with Pixel devices. It will be available on Android 12 and above phones and other Android users can access it by installing the Phone by Google app and setting it as their default dialer.
Scam calls are becoming a growing threat to Pakistanis at home and abroad, with fraudsters using bogus bank representatives, government impersonators, lottery scams, and missed international calls to defraud victims.
Fraudsters often pressure people to share sensitive details like OTPs, PINs, or banking information by creating fear or urgency. Similar tactics are used against Pakistanis living abroad, where criminals impersonate embassies or government agencies to demand money or personal data.
Despite repeated warnings from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the problem continues. Officials advise people to avoid unknown calls, never share personal information and report suspicious numbers. Experts stress that genuine banks and government agencies never ask for confidential details or payments on unsolicited calls, and awareness is the most effective defense against these scams.
Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia warned against the ongoing scam.
The post Avoid scam calls with Google’s new AI protection tool in real time appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.
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