As India's digital economy rapidly expands, so does the sophistication and prevalence of AI-driven scams, prompting Google to ramp up its efforts to protect users. While these initiatives mark a significant step forward, gaps remain in addressing the evolving threat landscape.
Google has unveiled a multi-pronged approach to combat AI scams in India, focusing on on-device and on-cloud protections, digital literacy, and continuous safety research. A key component of this strategy is real-time scam detection, powered by Gemini Nano AI, which is being rolled out on Pixel phones. This feature analyzes calls from unknown numbers in real-time, flagging potential scams without recording audio or sending data to Google. To ensure user privacy and control, the feature is turned off by default, and users can disable it at any time. A subtle beep notifies both parties when the feature is active.
In addition to scam call detection, Google is testing a new feature in collaboration with financial apps like Google Pay, Navi, and PayTM to prevent screen-sharing scams. Android 11+ devices will now display a clear alert if a user opens one of these apps while screen sharing during a call with an unknown contact, offering a one-tap option to end the call and stop screen sharing. Google Play Protect has also blocked over 115 million attempts to install sideloaded apps that request sensitive permissions often misused for financial fraud in India. Google Pay also displays over 1 million warnings weekly for fraudulent transactions.
To enhance security, Google is introducing Enhanced Phone Number Verification (ePNV), an Android-based system that replaces SMS OTP flows with a secure, SIM-based check. This aims to raise the standard for sign-in security. Google is also broadening access to its SynthID watermarking technology, providing early access to academia, researchers, and media organizations to help identify AI-generated content across images and audio formats.
Google is also investing in digital literacy programs. The "Learn and Explore Online" program, launching in India this December, will equip teachers and parents with tools to create safer online environments for young users. Google is expanding existing efforts, including Super Searchers, which has trained over 17,000 teachers and reached more than one million people in 2025. Google has also provided a grant to the CyberPeace Foundation to develop AI-powered cyber-defense tools and safety programs in schools.
Evan Kotsovinos, Vice President of Privacy, Safety and Security at Google, stated that on-device defenses provide "an unprecedented advantage over bad actors". Preeti Lobana, Country Manager, Google India, emphasized Google's "360-degree approach to safety," combining product protections, digital literacy training, continuous research, and ecosystem partnerships.
Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. AI-driven scams in India are surging, exploiting technologies like voice cloning, deepfakes, and OTP fraud. Scammers are using AI to impersonate trusted figures, clone voices, and create personalized phishing emails. These scams exploit human psychology, using fear, trust, and urgency to manipulate victims. The lack of strong AI-specific regulations leaves India's digital economy vulnerable.
Reports indicate that Indians have lost staggering amounts to cyber scams. In the first nine months of 2024, India lost approximately ₹11,000 crore to cyber scams. In just five months of 2025, losses amounted to ₹7,000 crore. A significant portion of these scams are orchestrated by operators from Southeast Asia.
While Google's initiatives are a welcome step, a collaborative effort involving government, industry, and individuals is crucial to effectively combat the evolving threat of AI scams in India.
