WhatsApp to Block Fraud Calls From Foreign Numbers Using AI

New Delhi: WhatsApp on Thursday announced that it is deploying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning based systems to curb the menace of spam and fraud calls from foreign numbers. It will try to “weed out bad-actors” from the platform. The Meta-owned platform took up this decision following a recent call out from the Indian government over the issue.

During past few months, there has been an increase in incoming international spam calls on WhatsApp. Several users have complained about receiving regular calls and messages from numbers with country codes belonging to Indonesia (+62), Vietnam (+84), Malaysia (+60), Kenya (+254), and Ethiopia (+251).

On Tuesday, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that spam calls on WhatsApp were a concern for the government. “The Ministry is taking note of it, they will send them (WhatsApp) a notice,” he said. The IT ministry said that digital platforms must ensure the safety of “digital nagriks” and are accountable for any alleged misuse or breach of users’ privacy.

WhatsApp in its official statement said, “We have ramped up our AI & ML systems… Our new enforcement will reduce the current calling rate by at least 50 per cent and we expect to be able to control the current incidence effectively. We will continue to work relentlessly towards ensuring a safe experience for our users.”