Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has blocked more than 203,000 malicious links in Mumbai in the last 50 days, as part of its efforts to tackle the growing threat of online frauds using artificial intelligence (AI). The telecom operator’s AI-driven fraud detection system has safeguarded over 2.1 million users across Maharashtra since its rollout.
The rise in digital fraud, particularly phishing scams and fake delivery messages, has prompted telecom and tech players to invest in automated solutions to counter cyber threats. Mumbai, one of India’s most digitally connected cities, has seen a surge in such frauds targeting users across demographics. The AI solution, which is automatically integrated for all Airtel mobile and broadband users, monitors suspicious links shared through SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, social media platforms, and web browsers. It analyses more than 1 billion URLs daily and can block access to harmful sites within 100 milliseconds.
If a user clicks on a malicious link, such as those often seen in phishing scams, the system blocks the website in real-time and redirects the user to a warning page. This process is fully automated and does not require any action from the user. Unlike conventional antivirus tools, this solution operates at the network level and remains active without the need for installation or updates. It is also free of cost for users.
To enhance accessibility, the fraud warnings are displayed in multiple languages, including Marathi, which helps extend protection to users with limited English proficiency. This multilingual approach is seen as crucial in reaching vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, first-time smartphone users, and residents in districts with low digital literacy.
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