Since November 2024, Google has been testing an AI-driven fraud detection feature, powered by the Google Gemini artificial intelligence model, designed to identify potential scammers during phone calls.
Once enabled, this feature allows AI to monitor all calls made by the user. Understandably, this raises concerns regarding privacy—an issue Google has taken into careful consideration.
The feature is integrated into the Google Phone app and operates locally using the Google Gemini Nano model. While AI does indeed analyze calls in real time, all processing occurs on the device itself, ensuring that no audio data is transmitted to the cloud.
Google affirms that no call audio or related records will be stored, neither locally on the device nor on Google’s servers. The data is used solely for scam detection and is immediately discarded after analysis.
If a caller is flagged as a potential scammer, the system will issue a red warning alert, cautioning the user about the risk. However, Google does not automatically disconnect the call—the final decision to continue or end the conversation remains entirely in the user’s hands.
Due to ongoing privacy concerns, this feature is not enabled by default. Users who wish to activate it can do so by navigating to the Phone app, accessing the menu, selecting “Fraud Detection,” and enabling the feature. Once activated, both parties will hear a beep at the start of each call as a notification.
Google has initially rolled out this AI-powered fraud detection system to Pixel 9 series users. It remains uncertain whether other devices will receive support, as running an AI model locally demands considerable processing power.
The same applies to devices from other manufacturers—OEMs will need to implement compatibility adjustments. If a device is capable of running the Google Gemini Nano model locally, it will have access to this fraud detection feature.
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