Airtel blocks billions of spam calls and messages with AI solution

In a significant technological breakthrough, Bharti Airtel has flagged an astonishing 8 billion spam calls and 800 million spam SMS within just two and a half months of introducing its AI-based spam detection system. The innovative solution, powered by advanced algorithms, has been identifying nearly 1 million spammers daily.

The company reports having alerted approximately 252 million unique customers about suspicious communications during this period. This proactive approach has resulted in a 12% reduction in the number of customers engaging with such calls. Currently, 6% of all calls on Airtel’s network are classified as spam, alongside 2% of all text messages. Remarkably, 35% of spam calls have been traced to landline numbers.

Delhi emerged as the top region for both receiving and originating spam calls, with Andhra Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh following close behind. For spam SMS, Gujarat leads as the primary source, while Mumbai, Chennai, and Gujarat report the highest number of recipients.

The data reveals that spam calls are disproportionately targeted at male customers, accounting for 76% of the total. The age group of 36-60 years receives nearly half of all spam calls, while those aged 26-35 are the second-most affected group. Senior citizens, aged above 60, experience significantly fewer intrusions, with only 8% of spam calls directed at them.

Spam activity begins ramping up at 9 am and peaks between 12 pm and 3 pm, indicating a concentrated effort during midday hours. There is also a sharp decline in spam activity on Sundays, with call volumes dropping by 40%. Devices priced between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 receive the highest share of spam calls, accounting for 22% of the total.