Google Enhances India AI Security

What happened

Google introduced enhanced AI-driven scam protection in India, leveraging Gemini Nano AI on Pixel phones to analyse conversations for potential fraud without storing call data. This system provides real-time warnings during calls from unknown numbers and triggers screen-sharing alerts when payment applications are active during calls with unfamiliar contacts, enabling one-tap termination. Concurrently, Google is developing Enhanced Phone Number Verification, transitioning from SMS-based one-time passwords to more secure SIM-based authentication. Additionally, the Learn and Explore Online programme will launch in December to support online safety education.

Why it matters

The introduction of on-device AI scam detection, operating without storing call data, creates a visibility gap for central IT security and compliance teams regarding the specific scam vectors identified at the endpoint. This decentralised detection mechanism increases exposure to unlogged scam attempts and raises due diligence requirements for monitoring user responses to real-time alerts. Consequently, IT security and compliance personnel face an increased oversight burden to ensure endpoint security policies adequately address these new, device-level protective measures and their operational implications.