According to GSMA, telecom regulators worldwide must work together to tackle the increasing problem of mobile spam and scams, which are harming user experience and resulting in financial losses. In recent times, telecom operators across the globe, including in India, have started deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-based technologies to detect and counter unsolicited messages and calls, with the aim of enhancing mobile user satisfaction. However, telecom operators argue that these fraudulent activities have increasingly shifted to over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms, where regulatory oversight is comparatively weaker.
To address scams more effectively, telecom providers are adopting innovative approaches such as participating in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This includes using standardised application programming interface (APIs) powered by AI to detect and block fraudulent activity, as well as implementing AI-driven tools like SIM swap and device location verification.
The GSMA has estimated the global scam economy to be valued at $1 trillion, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for around $700 million of that amount.
