Google has launched an AI-powered fraudulent call detection feature for Android users

Google is rolling out a new Android security feature that helps users identify AI-generated scam calls by verifying whether a call truly comes from a trusted contact.

Google has announced a new Android security feature designed to protect users from increasingly sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence to imitate voices and identities during phone calls.

The feature, called “Fake Call Detection,” will begin rolling out in June through the Phone by Google app on devices running Android 12 and later. Google Pixel smartphones will be the first to receive the update before it expands to more Android users worldwide.

The launch comes as cybercriminals increasingly rely on deepfake technology to clone the voices of family members, colleagues, and public figures in an effort to trick victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information.

According to Google, scammers may use spoofed phone numbers that appear to belong to trusted contacts, such as a parent or close relative, while an AI-generated voice mimics the real person and creates a false sense of urgency through fabricated emergencies.

To counter these threats, Google’s new system works automatically in the background without requiring users to adjust any settings. The technology uses a verification process similar to a digital handshake between devices.

When a call is received from a saved contact and both users are using the Phone by Google app, the caller’s device sends a silent verification signal confirming that the call originates from the legitimate device.

If a fraudster attempts to imitate someone using AI voice-cloning tools or caller ID spoofing techniques, the verification signal cannot be generated. The recipient’s device can then cross-check with the original phone associated with that contact. If the genuine device confirms that it is not making a call, the user receives an instant warning that the call may be fraudulent and is advised to end the conversation.

Google said the technology is built on Rich Communication Services (RCS), potentially enabling other developers and companies to integrate similar protections into their own communication platforms in the future.

Additional Android Features

Alongside the new anti-fraud system, Google unveiled several new Android features.

The Google Photos app will soon introduce a virtual wardrobe feature that analyzes photos stored on a device, identifies clothing items worn by the user, and organizes them into browsable digital collections. The feature is expected to launch next week for eligible users in the United States, India, and Brazil on devices running Android 10 or later.

Google also announced a new “Catch Me Up” feature for Google Play Books, which provides readers with concise summaries of previous chapters to help them quickly resume books after a break. Users will also be able to ask questions about selected passages directly within the app.

Meanwhile, Google has enhanced its Circle to Search feature, allowing users to search for multiple clothing items displayed in an image simultaneously rather than identifying each item individually. The upgrade is now available on supported devices running Android 14 and later versions.