Bharti Airtel collaborates with Google for AI-driven spam protection in messaging services
Bharti Airtel has announced that it will implement AI-powered spam protection for text messages, including web links, sent through Google’s messaging platform. The telecom giant said in a statement on Sunday, March 1, 2026 that this move aims to protect customers from potential digital fraud as part of the partnership between the two companies.
Following the partnership, Bharti Airtel has urged other internet-based applications to collaborate with it in combating spam messages.
“By combining Airtel’s network intelligence with Google’s Rich Communication Services (RCS) platform and spam filtering, users enjoy the RCS messaging experience with interactive elements such as high-quality photo/video and message reactions, while also benefiting from advanced protections that significantly reduce mobile spam and digital fraud,” the statement said.
7,100 crore spam calls blocked
Airtel said it has blocked nearly 7,100 crore spam calls and 290 crore spam SMSes, resulting in a significant 68.7% reduction in financial losses on its network in the last 1.5 years, thanks to its AI-powered tools.
Many internet-based applications offer bulk messaging services, allowing senders to add web links for transactions.
“We have now partnered with Google to take customer protection beyond the telecommunications space and make the rich messaging platform safer and more secure. We now call on larger OTT communication platforms to work with us and ensure customers are protected from the threat of spam and financial fraud,” said Gopal Vittal Executive Vice President, Bharti Airtel. he said.
Airtel said it provides messaging services that comply with security standards of traditional mobile networks and telco-level security measures, whereas many other non-telecommunications platforms and standalone applications lack these protections.
“These channels are therefore increasingly being exploited by sophisticated bad actors and are becoming common tools for financial fraud and invasive spam. This innovative partnership between Airtel and Google is designed to bridge this gap by extending the responsibility of telecom-level security measures to the modern messaging experience,” the statement said.
Airtel says it has set a new benchmark
The company said it has set a new standard for carrier-backed secure messaging service by integrating Airtel’s intelligence into its RCS platform and Google’s existing spam protections.
Sameer Samat, Head of Google Android Ecosystem, said that brands using the messaging service for corporate communication can increase trust among their customers by allowing them to easily distinguish legitimate business messages from spam and protect themselves from potential risks that may arise on other messaging platforms.
Samat said, “The solution will enable brands to engage more deeply with their customers, who will feel safer and more in control. This will lead to lasting customer relationships, which are essential for business growth and success.”
Speaking about the rationale behind the latest development, an Airtel spokesperson said: “We initially did not join Google as we wanted RCS messages to be routed through the Airtel spam filter. In a global first, an OTT platform has integrated Airtel’s spam filter into messaging services. We are therefore now live with Google, ensuring that the necessary controls are in place to ensure our customers’ security remains paramount. We are also appealing to other OTT platforms including Meta, Telegram and Signal to address the threat of spam to customers.” Work similarly with us to eliminate it.”
