Google Enhances AI Scam Defense in India, but Issues Persist

Google Enhances AI Tools to Combat Digital Fraud in India

Google is intensifying its fight against digital fraud in India by introducing on-device scam detection for Pixel 9 users and new screen-sharing alerts for financial applications. As digital fraud escalates in the country, these innovations aim to safeguard consumers in an increasingly online world.

Rising Digital Fraud in India

The surge of digital transactions in India is alarming. As more individuals go online for the first time, relying heavily on smartphones for payments, shopping, and access to government services, digital fraud has become a significant issue. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), fraud related to digital transactions constituted over half of all reported bank fraud in 2024, totaling 13,516 cases and leading to losses of ₹5.2 billion (approximately $58.61 million). The Ministry of Home Affairs noted that online scams accounted for an estimated ₹70 billion (about $789 million) in losses during the first five months of 2025. Many incidents likely remain underreported, as victims may be uncertain about how to report them or prefer to avoid further scrutiny.

Google’s On-Device Scam Detection Feature

On Thursday, Google announced its enhanced real-time scam detection feature, utilizing Gemini Nano technology to analyze calls directly on users’ devices. This feature flags potential fraud without recording audio or transmitting data to Google’s servers. Initially developed as a beta version for English-speaking Pixel 9 users in the U.S. back in March, the feature is now being expanded to the Indian market.

This scam detection is switched off by default and only activates for calls from unknown numbers. To alert participants, it plays a beep during the conversation. However, the feature is limited to users of Pixel 9 and later models, and currently, it only has English-language capabilities. This limitation is noteworthy in a country where Android controls nearly 96% of the smartphone market, but Pixel devices constitute less than 1% of that share. As most users in India predominantly speak non-English languages, the lack of multi-language support could restrict the feature’s effectiveness.

Despite these limitations, Google has expressed intentions to introduce scam detection for non-Pixel Android devices in the future, although no specific timeline has been provided.

Addressing Screen-Sharing Scams

Alongside its call detection feature, Google is piloting a new initiative in India with financial apps such as Navi, Paytm, and Google Pay to combat screen-sharing scams. Fraudsters often use these tactics to persuade victims to share their screens, allowing them to gain access to sensitive information like one-time passwords (OTPs) or PINs.

The new feature offers users alerts when engaging with these financial applications, allowing them to end calls with a one-tap option to stop the screen-sharing process. Android 11 and later users will have access to this alert system, and Google has indicated its plans to incorporate more app partners over time. Additionally, alerts will be made available in Indian languages, further enhancing accessibility.

Google Play Protect and Fraud Prevention

In addition to these new features, Google has been proactive in utilizing its Play Protect service to combat predatory loan applications in India. This initiative includes blocking the sideloading of third-party apps that seek sensitive permissions often exploited for fraudulent activities. Google has reported blocking over 115 million such installation attempts in the past year.

Furthermore, Google Pay displays more than a million warnings weekly about transactions considered potentially fraudulent. This ongoing commitment to user safety reflects the company’s deeper strategy to enhance digital security across its platforms.

DigiKavach Awareness Campaign

Google is also running the DigiKavach awareness campaign to educate users about digital fraud. This initiative has successfully reached over 250 million people, providing valuable resources to assist users in identifying and avoiding fraud. Collaborating with the RBI, Google has published a public list of authorized digital lending apps and their associated non-banking financial companies, aiming to limit the prevalence of malicious actors.

Google’s Safety Charter

Earlier in the year, Google launched a Safety Charter in India to bolster its AI-driven fraud detection and security initiatives. This charter forms part of a broader strategy to deploy advanced AI tools in India to effectively address the rising instances of digital fraud.

Challenges in Addressing Digital Fraud

While Google is making strides in combating digital fraud, several challenges remain. The company, much like Apple, has faced criticism for allowing misleading and fraudulent applications onto its app store despite mechanisms designed to filter out such submissions.

In recent years, law enforcement and security experts have flagged numerous investment and loan applications used in scams that remained active on the Google Play Store until necessary interventions were executed. These incidents underscore the ongoing difficulty Google faces in monitoring and regulating an ecosystem that holds a dominant position in India’s smartphone market.

Conclusion

With the rapid rise of digital fraud in India, Google’s enhancements in AI technology signify a proactive approach to safeguarding users. The on-device scam detection feature for Pixel 9 devices, new screen-sharing alerts, and ongoing efforts through Play Protect and public awareness campaigns reflect a comprehensive strategy to combat fraud.

While progress is being made, the complexity of digital fraud continues to pose challenges for tech giants like Google. Continuous improvements and community education will be essential in securing a safer online environment for users in India as they increasingly rely on digital transactions for their everyday activities.

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Emmanuel Kesse

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