Airtel just made it a reality. On September 25, 2024, Airtel, one of India’s biggest telecom companies, announced a super-smart AI-powered tool to protect its users from spam calls and texts. And the best part? It’s free for all Airtel customers!
What is Spam?
Before we jump into the technical stuff, let’s talk about what spam is. Spam refers to unwanted calls or text messages that you probably didn’t ask for. You know those times when you get a random call about some scheme or a text offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true? That’s spam. It’s not only annoying, but it can also be dangerous, like when these messages include harmful links or scams.
Why Did Airtel Create This Spam Detection Tool?
With millions of people using smartphones in India, spam calls and texts are a big problem. Airtel saw that many of its users were being bombarded with unwanted calls and messages, and they wanted to do something about it. They wanted to make sure their customers could enjoy using their phones without constantly worrying about spam.
So, Airtel created a solution that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect spam. AI is like a super-smart robot that can learn and make decisions on its own. In this case, it helps find spam calls and texts before they reach your phone.
How Does This AI-Powered Tool Work?
Airtel’s spam detection tool is pretty clever. It uses two levels of protection to catch spam calls and texts before they get to you. The first level is at the network layer, and the second is at the IT systems layer.
Let’s imagine these layers as two big gates. The first gate checks the calls and messages when they are still in the network. If something looks fishy, like a suspicious number or a message that resembles known spam, it blocks it right away. The second gate takes a closer look, analyzing things like how often a number sends messages, the length of calls, or if a message contains blacklisted links.
Together, these two gates work super fast, like in the blink of an eye! Airtel’s AI can process 1.5 billion messages and 2.5 billion calls every day. That’s a lot of data! In total, the system processes a whopping 1 trillion records in real-time, using AI to make sure everything happens in just 2 milliseconds. That’s almost faster than you can snap your fingers.
How Does It Help You?
Airtel’s AI-powered spam detection solution will alert you in real-time if a call or text is suspected of being spam. You don’t even have to do anything to set it up—it’s already turned on for all Airtel users. So, if you get a call from a suspicious number, you’ll see a warning on your screen saying “Suspected SPAM.”
The same goes for text messages. If you get a spammy SMS, Airtel’s system will flag it and let you know, especially if the message contains links that could be dangerous. For example, if someone is sending scam texts using blacklisted websites or frequently changing phone details, the system catches that too.
This feature is designed to keep you safe, so you can avoid falling into scams, phishing attempts, or getting overwhelmed by marketing messages you never asked for.
How Many Spam Calls and Texts Does It Block?
Airtel’s tool has already proven to be incredibly effective. Gopal Vittal, the Managing Director and CEO of Bharti Airtel, said that the solution identifies 100 million potential spam calls every day and stops around 3 million spam text messages daily. That’s a huge number of spammy interactions you won’t have to deal with anymore!
Airtel knows how important it is to protect its customers, and that’s why they’ve made this AI-powered tool a top priority. No one likes getting unwanted calls or texts, and with this new system, Airtel is taking big steps to make sure its users stay safe.
What If You Need Some of These Calls?
Now, you might be wondering, “But what if I need some of those calls?” Like, what if your bank is calling you, or you’re getting an important message about your insurance? Don’t worry—Airtel has thought of that too.
The spam detection system doesn’t block service calls from important institutions. For example, messages or calls from banks, insurance companies, or government services will still get through. These are usually marked with special prefixes like “160” or “140” so you’ll know they’re legit. And if you haven’t turned on the “Do Not Disturb” (DND) service, you’ll still get some promotional calls, but Airtel’s system will make sure they aren’t spammy or harmful.
Airtel’s In-House Creation
What’s cool about this tool is that it was made entirely by Airtel’s own team. They built a unique algorithm, which is like a special set of instructions for the AI, that can check calls and messages by looking at patterns, how often they happen, how long the calls are, and other signs of spam. This makes the AI super smart at catching spam, even before you see it.
Why Should You Care?
You might be thinking, “Why is this a big deal?” Well, this is the first time any telecom company in India has rolled out such an advanced AI-powered spam detection tool. It’s a big step toward making your phone experience more enjoyable and stress-free. Plus, it’s free for all Airtel users! You don’t have to pay extra or sign up for anything special to start getting protected.
This AI tool means that, as an Airtel user, you’re safer from spam, scams, and unwanted marketing than ever before. Your phone is becoming a safer place to communicate, thanks to AI.
Airtel’s new AI-powered spam detection tool is a win for everyone. Whether you’re constantly getting spam calls or just want peace of mind knowing that your phone is protected, this service makes it happen. Airtel’s commitment to keeping its users safe is clear, and with AI on their side, spam doesn’t stand a chance.
So, the next time you get a suspicious call or message, you can rest easy knowing Airtel’s smart AI is working behind the scenes to keep you safe!