X
search

Google Phone app is getting on-device AI anti-scam protection

Pictured: Alap Naik Desai
By Alap Naik Desai
July 25, 2024
Featured image for Google Phone app is getting on-device AI anti-scam protection

Google Phone should soon have anti-scam capabilities powered by AI. Specifically speaking, Gemini Nano Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be able to detect spam calls as well as scam calls.

APK Teardown reveals Gemini Nano anti-scam protection for Google Phone

The Google Phone app is usually the default call management platform for Android smartphones. It has a decent spam call detection engine which either blocks the spam call or alerts users with a warning. It would soon allow reverse call lookups as well.

Moving forward, the Google Phone app could get an anti-scam engine powered by Gemini AI. Google has already deployed spam detection on Pixel devices. The same feature could be extended to include scam calls.

The upcoming feature reportedly spotted inside Google Phone version 138.0.654539475 beta release, is codenamed “Sharpie”. Google demoed the Gemini Nano AI-powered scam call detection inside the Google Phone app at the recent Google I/O event.

Google claims the feature can “provide real-time alerts during a call if it detects conversation patterns commonly associated with scams.” Several strings of code inside the beta version of the Google Phone app reportedly indicate the new feature would be able to distinguish between spam and scam calls. Android smartphone users would be able to manually report calls as well if the Phone app lets a potential scam call through.

Incidentally, Google has developed and tweaked Gemini Nano for smartphones. This suggests most of the AI processing will take place on the device to protect privacy. However, this could also mean several devices that lack capable hardware, might not get this feature.

Is Google forcing Gemini Nano Gen AI through backend channels?

Google won’t be forcibly embedding Gemini Nano AI into the Google Phone app. Android smartphone users relying on the Google Phone app will get a choice. In other words, the Gemini Nano AI for Google Phone could be an opt-in service when it arrives.

 

Spam calls have been getting easier to spot and block. However, scam calls are quite clever and creative. Moreover, scammers continually improve to evade suspicion and detection.

Scam calls usually target some of the least tech-savvy smartphone users. This makes awareness campaigns futile. If an AI engine can help spot a potential scam call, Android smartphone users could exercise caution and protect themselves.