Android 17 to Introduce Features for Detecting Spoofed Calls and Impersonation Scams

<p>Google is set to roll out Android 17 later this month, accompanied by updates for the Android device ecosystem. Some new features will be available only on specific devices or require the use of Google's applications. One significant update includes automated protection against deepfake phone scams.</p><p>According to Google, impersonation fraud is a prevalent type of financial scam, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reporting nearly $3 billion in losses from such scams in 2024. The advancement of AI voice cloning technology has made it increasingly challenging to identify fake callers, even when they imitate familiar voices.</p><p>Google's new feature expands on a system introduced last month for verified financial calls, now allowing it to work with contacts stored on users' devices. Many deepfake scams involve spoofing a contact's number, which can make the call appear legitimate. Victims often hear a convincing imitation of a familiar voice requesting urgent financial assistance.</p>