Airtel Africa has unveiled the operational framework and key benefits of its AI Spam Alert Service, as it expands to Tanzania and Kenya, following its successful launch in Nigeria.
Airtel Nigeria made this known in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
It said that the AI-driven solution was designed to proactively shield mobile users from spam and fraudulent SMS messages, marking a significant advancement in mobile security across Africa.
According to the telecommunications company, the AI spam alert service functions by automatically identifying and categorising suspicious SMS messages as “Suspected SPAM” without any required action from the user or the need for supplementary applications.
It said that the service employed a sophisticated AI algorithm that scrutinised over 250 parameters, including sender behaviour, message frequency, geographical distribution of messages, and unusual activity patterns.
“This entire analysis is completed in under two milliseconds, providing near real-time alerts while ensuring user data privacy by not accessing the content of the messages, “it said.
Commenting on the service, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh said: “Nigeria plays a pivotal role in digital adoption on the continent, and this service underscores our commitment to protecting our customers from the growing threat of SMS fraud.
“We are happy to be offering this service to Nigerians and its subsequent expansion across Airtel’s African operations.
“Following its successful implementation in Nigeria, the spam alert service has now been launched in Tanzania and Kenya, with plans to encompass Airtel’s entire African network,” he said.
Balsingh said the service was automatically activated for all Airtel subscribers, irrespective of whether they used smartphones or feature phones, ensuring widespread accessibility and impact.
The Airtel Nigeria boss said that initial feedback from Airtel subscribers had been overwhelmingly positive, with users commending the AI’s effectiveness in identifying potentially harmful messages without disrupting their regular communication.
He said that by pioneering the AI-powered spam detection technology, Airtel Africa demonstrated its dedication to utilising cutting-edge innovation to tackle critical challenges faced by its customer base.
“The AI Spam Alert Service not only provides essential protection to users but also establishes a new benchmark for mobile security standards within the region.
“Our objective is to foster a more secure digital environment for our users.
“This innovation is an integral part of our broader strategy to integrate advanced technologies that address tangible issues while enhancing the overall customer experience,” Balsingh said.
NAN
