Airtel launches AI-driven fraud detection solution for communication OTTs, email

Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel said it has launched an AI-based security solution designed to detect and block access to malicious websites in real time. The service is currently live in Haryana circle, and will be rolled out nationwide soon.

The service will cover all communication and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, as well as emails, web browsers, and SMS.

The service will be seamlessly integrated and automatically enabled for all Airtel mobile and broadband customers, with no additional cost, Airtel said.

The move aligns with broader efforts by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the telecom industry at large to crack down on digital fraud, spam, and scam calls—measures aimed at enhancing user safety and preventing financial losses.

“When a user attempts to access a website flagged as harmful by Airtel’s advanced security system, the request is blocked, and the user is redirected to a page explaining the reason,” the statement said.

This launch comes amid a surge in online fraud cases, which continue to pose significant financial risks to unsuspecting users. Airtel noted that scams have evolved far beyond traditional OTP frauds and fake calls, with millions falling victim to sophisticated online traps in recent months.

Airtel’s new AI-driven platform employs a multi-layered intelligence system that leverages both global threat databases and Airtel’s own threat actor repository. It continuously scans internet traffic, performs real-time domain filtering, and blocks malicious links across devices and platforms.

“Our AI tool scans traffic, cross-checks with global repositories and our internal threat database in real time, and blocks fraudulent websites. In just six months of trials, it has achieved exceptional accuracy,” said Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel. “We remain committed to making our networks completely safe from scams and spam.”

This initiative follows Airtel’s September 2024 launch of an AI-powered spam detection service, which alerts its 430 million+ mobile users to potential spam and unsolicited communications.