Android phones will soon be able to detect spoofed calls and impersonation scams

Google is introducing a new feature for Android phones to combat the increasing threat of deepfake phone scams. This initiative aims to protect users from impersonation fraud, a common financial scam that has led to billions in losses. Significant advancements in AI voice cloning tools have made these scams more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Customers often find it challenging to identify fake callers, even when an AI mimics someone they interact with daily. The new security feature will be available on Android 12 and later versions, requiring Google's Phone, Contacts, and Messages apps.

The system works by verifying calls from known contacts. When a call comes in, the caller's Google dialer app sends a confirmation signal. If this signal is absent—indicating a spoofed number—the Messages app sends an authenticated RCS ping to the supposed caller. If their phone reports no outgoing call, a pop-up alert informs the recipient that the caller may not be who they claim to be. This verification process relies on all parties having the specified Google apps installed.

This development comes as regulators and public safety organizations have advised Android users to limit financial transactions on their devices due to the rise of AI spoofing. Google has been actively deploying various anti-scam measures across its ecosystem, including scam call detection on Pixel phones, which uses on-device AI to identify suspicious behavior, and real-time scam identification in the Google Messages app.

In addition to security enhancements, Google is also expanding AI-powered fashion features. The "Find the Look" feature in Circle to Search, previously exclusive to some Pixel and Galaxy phones, is now available on all devices running Android 14 and higher. This feature allows users to analyze elements within an image to identify clothing.

Google Photos will also receive an AI-assisted fashion engine. This will catalog users' clothing, creating a virtual wardrobe for browsing and organization. Users can even create AI-generated images of themselves wearing these outfits, offering a new way to interact with their personal style.

Finally, Google is enhancing Apple AirDrop support for Android devices. While initially spotty and limited to newer Pixel and Samsung flagship phones, AirDrop support is now expanding to more Android phones. This allows for easier file sharing between Android and iOS devices, although some limitations, like contact-based sharing from Android, still apply.