South Korea and India launch advanced AI systems to combat spam and malicious URLs

South Korea and India Launch Advanced AI Systems to Combat Spam and Malicious URLs

Telecommunications giants in South Korea and India have unveiled sophisticated AI-powered systems to address the pervasive issue of spam and malicious URLs in text messages and calls. The new initiatives, developed by KT Corp. in South Korea and Bharti Airtel in India, are set to provide advanced protection for millions of users against spam and potential cyber threats.

KT Corp. and KISA Team Up in South Korea

On Tuesday, South Korea’s leading telecom operator KT Corp. announced a collaboration with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) to introduce a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) system. The primary goal of this initiative, set to launch next month, is to detect and block malicious URLs within text messages and curb the spread of spam.

KT Corp.’s AI technology will scrutinise phone numbers associated with spam and disseminate this information, in the form of a blacklist, to message relay operators. This blacklist will be regularly verified by KISA to ensure the ongoing accuracy and reliability of the flagged numbers. A significant feature of the AI system is its capability to analyse spam-related data, effectively identifying URLs that direct users to harmful websites or lead them to install malicious smishing files.

Additionally, KT Corp. revealed that the system employs a small large language model (sLLM) to differentiate between illegal spam and legitimate messages by analysing the intent behind the messages. This nuanced approach aims to minimise false positives and ensure that legitimate communications are not inadvertently blocked.

Bharti Airtel’s Initiative in India

On Wednesday, Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, rolled out an AI-powered spam detection solution across its network. This innovative system, heralded as India’s first network-based AI-powered spam detection tool, will be automatically available to Airtel’s approximately 387 million wireless subscribers at no extra cost.

Airtel’s system is designed to alert users in real-time to suspected spam calls and text messages, utilising a dual-layer protection mechanism that filters communications at both the network and IT systems levels. This system represents the culmination of 12 months of development work by Airtel’s team of data scientists.

The technological backbone of Airtel’s AI system includes a proprietary algorithm that evaluates various parameters such as caller usage patterns, call frequency, and duration in real-time. It’s capable of processing an immense volume of data—equivalent to 1 trillion records daily—enabling it to identify 100 million potential spam calls and 3 million spam messages each day.

To further enhance user security, the system also scans SMS content for malicious links, cross-referencing against a centralised database of blacklisted URLs. This feature aims to mitigate the risk of users clicking on harmful links that could lead to fraudulent activities or phishing attacks. Moreover, the system’s capability to detect anomalies, such as frequent changes to IMEI numbers, helps identify potentially fraudulent behaviours.

Addressing a Growing Concern

The implementation of these AI-driven systems comes in response to a growing frustration among mobile users globally. In India, a recent survey by LocalCircles highlighted that 95% of users receive unwanted calls daily, with the government’s “Do Not Disturb” (DND) registry proving largely ineffective. The majority of registered users continue to struggle with spam despite their efforts to opt out.

Both KT Corp.’s and Bharti Airtel’s initiatives signify a significant step forward in the battle against telephonic spam and cyber threats. By leveraging AI to enhance detection and prevention mechanisms, these telecom operators aim to provide their users with safer and more secure communication experiences.

Source: Noah Wire Services