Highlights
- Google has integrated Airtel’s AI-powered spam filters and identity verification into RCS chats in Google Messages.
- The system verifies business identities, honors DND preferences, categorises messages and throttles suspicious senders flagged by both AI systems.
(Image credit – Google)
Google has strengthened its Rich Communications Services (RCS) platform in India by integrating advanced spam detection and anti-fraud tools developed by Bharti Airtel. The move is aimed at tackling the rising wave of online scams targeting mobile users across the country.
According to the Airtel announcement on X, its partnership with Google to roll out its AI-powered spam filters and threat detection systems for RCS chats within the Google Messages app. The app comes pre-installed or is widely available on most Android smartphones. Here are more details.
Google-Airtel Join Hands For AI Spam Detection and Identity Validation for RCS
Under this collaboration, Google’s RCS messaging service will utilise Airtel’s intelligence framework to verify the identity of message senders. This verification is based on business identity checks conducted by the telecom operator.
“In a pioneering initiative, we have now partnered with Google to extend customer protection beyond the telco domain and made the rich messaging platform safer and more secure. We now call on the broader OTT communication platforms to work with us and make sure that customers are protected from the spam and financial fraud menace,” said Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel, in a press release.
“We are committed to continuing to work with the broader ecosystem of carriers to standardise messaging security and create a consistent and trusted messaging experience for all RCS messaging users around the world,” said Sameer Samat, President, Android Ecosystem at Google.
The integration will also allow the RCS platform to honour users’ DND (Do Not Disturb) preferences. Messages will be categorised as either promotional or transactional, with restrictions applied accordingly.
In cases where both Google and Airtel’s AI-based spam detection systems flag a sender as suspicious, the platform will “throttle” the account. This means limiting the number of messages that particular sender can distribute, thereby reducing the risk of mass spam or fraud attempts.
Airtel stated that its anti-spam and anti-scam systems have already blocked 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam SMS messages on its network across India. According to the company, these measures have contributed to a 68.7 per cent reduction in the financial losses suffered by scam victims.
What is RCS?
RCS, or Rich Communications Services, represents the next evolution of open messaging standards and protocols designed to replace traditional SMS and MMS.
It enhances the default messaging experience by enabling features such as high-quality photo and video sharing, messaging over Wi-Fi or mobile data, read receipts, typing indicators, and group chats.
Expanding Protection Beyond Telecom Networks
The latest Google-Airtel partnership marks a significant shift by extending spam and scam protection beyond the telecom service provider (TSP) level into over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms. This development comes at a time when telecom operators and technology companies in India have been engaged in policy disagreements.
One such issue involves the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) SIM-binding mandate, which came into effect on March 1, 2026. Under this directive, users of messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram must have an active SIM card registered on their phones to access these services.
FAQS
Q1. What is the purpose of Google and Airtel’s partnership on RCS chats?
Answer. The collaboration aims to strengthen Google’s Rich Communications Services (RCS) platform in India by integrating Airtel’s AI-powered spam filters and identity verification tools. This helps protect users from online scams, fraudulent messages and spam by verifying business identities.
Q2. How does the new spam and fraud detection system work in Google Messages?
Answer. The system uses Airtel’s intelligence framework to verify the identity of message senders and categorise messages as promotional or transactional. If both Google and Airtel’s AI systems flag a sender as suspicious, the platform limits (or “throttles”) the number of messages that sender can distribute, reducing the risk of mass spam or fraud attempts.
Q3. What impact have Airtel’s anti-spam measures had so far?
Answer. Airtel reports that its systems have already blocked 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam SMS messages across India.
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https://www.mymobileindia.com/meta-is-testing-monthly-message-cap-on-whatsapp-to-curb-spam-report