Google launches new Ai scheme that detects fake and fraud calls As technology advances, fraud is also increasing. To combat this, Google is testing a new AI-based scam call detection feature. This initiative was prompted by the 2023 Global State of Scams Report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, which revealed that, over a 12-month period, people worldwide lost more than $1 trillion to scams. However, it is uncertain whether this feature will be launched globally, as some countries, such as India, do not permit profiling callers based on conversation content without consent.
Google claims that its upcoming feature, Google Gemini Nano, which is currently in testing, will enable your phone to alert you in real-time during a call if it detects conversation patterns commonly associated with scams. This feature does not require a specific phone model, as Google Gemini Nano is the smallest version of Google’s Gemini AI model family and can be implemented on any Android device.
For instance, you would receive an alert if a caller posing as a bank representative urges you to transfer funds urgently, make a payment with a gift card, or request personal information such as bank PINs or passwords. At the company’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, it was announced that this protection operates on-device, ensuring your conversation remains private. Google also mentioned that more features will be introduced later this year.
Rumors circulating globally have raised concerns about potential privacy violations. Google clarified, stating, “This is a capability currently undergoing testing. It utilizes on-device Gemini Nano AI to alert users in real-time if it detects conversation patterns typically associated with fraud and scams.” The company emphasized, “Participation will be optional, not activated automatically for users. We will provide further information on its availability as it becomes available. We are dedicated to ensuring that Android features adhere to relevant regulations and policies.”
This innovation can be viewed as a significant advancement or as a potential privacy infringement. It’s crucial to recognize that AI models rely on the data they ingest. Given that Gemini Nano will have access to conversations, location data, feedback, and usage information, there’s concern that it could be exploited by governments for surveillance purposes or to gather information under false pretenses.
Currently, Google is in the process of testing the AI to ensure that it effectively safeguards users from scams without infringing upon their privacy.
