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Google has introduced two new artificial intelligence (AI) safety tools designed to protect Android users from phone call scams and malicious apps. These tools announced in a blog post on Wednesday, use real-time monitoring and AI-powered models to identify and warn users about potential threats. The new features are rolling out for Google Pixel devices and focus on enhancing user security by leveraging machine learning to detect fraud and harmful behaviour.
The first tool, Scam Detection in Phone, aims to protect users from phone call scams by analyzing conversation patterns during incoming calls. Unlike traditional caller ID services that rely on phone numbers or calling behaviour, this feature processes the content of a call in real-time using AI. By identifying patterns associated with known scams, such as fraudulent calls claiming to be from a bank, the tool can warn users with audio and visual alerts. If the AI determines that a call could be a scam, it will issue a haptic vibration along with a warning on the screen. Importantly, Google emphasizes that no audio is stored or sent to its servers, ensuring privacy for users.
Initially, the Scam Detection feature will only be available to users in the U.S. who are part of the Google Beta Program and will only work with English-language calls. Google aims to expand its rollout to more users in the future. This feature adds an extra layer of protection for users who might otherwise be tricked by scammers posing as trusted entities, such as banks or government agencies.
The second tool, Google Play Protect Live Threat Detection, enhances security by monitoring the activity of installed apps. This tool uses AI to detect malicious behaviour in apps, even after they have been installed. It will alert users in real-time if an app exhibits suspicious activity, such as interacting unnecessarily with other apps or engaging in data-harvesting activities without the user's consent. One of its key capabilities is detecting "stalkerware" — malicious apps that monitor users' activities or collect sensitive data without authorization. The feature will initially focus on these types of apps but will be expanded to detect other threats over time.
Both tools are part of Google’s ongoing effort to improve Android security. The Scam Detection feature is available on Google Pixel 6 and newer models, while the Google Play Protect Live Threat Detection will be accessible to users outside the US. This combination of real-time monitoring and AI-powered safety tools gives Android users greater control over their security, helping them stay safe from fraud and malicious apps.
