Google announced on Tuesday that Android is launching fake call detection to protect against AI deepfake impersonation scams. The feature is rolling out globally in Phone by Google to Android 12+ devices this month, starting with Pixel devices.
As people increasingly refuse to answer calls from unknown numbers, scammers are shifting their tactics by spoofing trusted phone numbers and using AI deepfake technology to sound like authority figures, family members, or employers.
For example, a person may receive a phone call showing the caller ID “Mom,” and the voice may sound exactly like her, but the caller is actually a scammer using AI tools to impersonate her and request money for a fake emergency.
The new feature is on by default and works automatically behind the scenes.
Google explains that the new feature works kind of like a “digital handshake between devices.” When a contact calls you, and you’re both using Phone by Google, their phone sends a silent confirmation signal to your device to verify the call is legitimate and actually coming from their phone.
