Google is taking steps to protect Android users from phone scammers by developing new safeguards. The company is currently testing a technology that uses artificial intelligence to identify patterns associated with scams and alert Android phone users when fraudulent activity is suspected. This announcement was made by Google Vice President of Engineering Dave Burke at the I/O developers conference. In addition to this, Google is also working on a call monitoring function that will notify users if the person they are speaking with is likely trying to defraud them and prompt them to end the call.
Google has assured users that their data will remain safe with these new safeguards in place. The technology behind these features is called Gemini Nano, which is a smaller version of Google’s large language model, Gemini. This technology operates locally on Android smartphones and does not require an internet connection. Google claims that since the scanning is done on the device itself, the conversations that Gemini Nano listens to will remain private.
However, privacy experts have expressed concerns about the use of artificial intelligence for real-time scanning during voice calls. They worry that this technology could be used to identify trends related to political beliefs, human rights issues, or personal problems that individuals may face in their jobs. Some experts fear that this could lead to centralized censorship in the future. An AI secure solution designer and engineer, Andriy, has shared these concerns on the X platform, highlighting the potential trade-off between fraud protection and privacy.
It is important to note that Gemini Nano’s compatibility may be limited, and users will have to opt in to use the scam detection feature. Google has not yet provided specific details about when this feature will be available to users. As a result, the usefulness of this technology may be limited to a certain group of users. Falling victim to scams remains a possibility for anyone, despite efforts to raise awareness and provide advice on how to avoid them. According to a survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, over $1 trillion was lost to scams and identity theft worldwide in the previous year, affecting one in four people.
In conclusion, Google’s development of new safeguards, including the use of artificial intelligence, aims to protect Android users from phone scammers. While these measures are aimed at increasing security, concerns have been raised regarding privacy and potential misuse of the technology. The compatibility and availability of these features are yet to be determined, but they hold promise in the ongoing battle against scams and fraud.
