Bharti Airtel, India’s first telecom network to launch an AI-powered spam-fighting solution, has flagged 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMSes within just two and a half months of implementation. The advanced algorithm-based system has identified 1 million spammers daily, alerting 252 million unique users to suspicious activity. This initiative has led to a 12% reduction in customers answering spam calls, Airtel announced in its latest spam report.
Our fight against SPAM calls continues pic.twitter.com/9uypMPdJKH
— DoT India (@DoT_India) December 10, 2024
Key Findings from Airtel’s Spam Report
The report reveals that 6% of all calls and 2% of SMSes on Airtel’s network were flagged as spam, with 35% of spammers using landlines. Delhi topped the list for both receiving and originating the highest number of spam calls, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh (received), and Mumbai and Karnataka (originated). For spam SMSes, Gujarat, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh were the top origins, primarily targeting users in Mumbai, Chennai, and Gujarat.
Spam Trends and Demographic Insights
The analysis highlights that 76% of spam calls targeted male users. Among age groups, individuals aged 36–60 years received the most spam calls (48%), followed by those aged 26–35 years (26%). Senior citizens accounted for just 8% of spam call recipients. Spam activity peaked between 12 PM and 3 PM and dropped significantly—by 40%—on Sundays. Devices priced between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 received 22% of spam calls, suggesting a correlation between device affordability and spam targeting. Airtel’s AI system uses real-time data to detect spam with high accuracy by analyzing multiple parameters.
Airtel’s AI-Powered Spam Detection Initiative
We are India's first SPAM fighting network and here's how we're doing it! #AirtelFightsSPAM pic.twitter.com/L93JSDN6xZ
— airtel India (@airtelindia) September 29, 2024
In a statement, Airtel emphasized its leadership in combating spam, calling the initiative a groundbreaking effort that prioritizes customer privacy and sets new industry standards. The solution offers a comprehensive approach to addressing spam, ensuring convenience and security for its vast user base.
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Government Measures to Address Spam Calls
The Government of India has introduced a new 10-digit number series with a “160” prefix for transactional and service calls from trusted entities, such as banks and insurance companies. Promotional calls from unsubscribed users will continue to use the “140” prefix. These measures aim to enhance transparency and reduce the nuisance of spam calls and messages.
