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By Musa Mbogo
Airtel Uganda has launched Africa’s first AI-powered spam alert service, aimed at protecting customers from the growing threat of fraud and scam messages. This cutting-edge solution is automatically available to all Airtel subscribers both smartphone and feature phone users at no extra cost. It requires no app downloads or registration, making it easy and seamless to use.
The new Airtel Spam Alert Service employs advanced artificial intelligence capable of analyzing over 250 parameters in real time to flag suspicious messages. Once identified, such messages are tagged with a “SPAM ALERT” warning, helping users avoid potential harm.
Functioning at both the network and IT systems level, the AI-driven platform processes over 1.5 billion messages in just two milliseconds, all while maintaining user privacy by not reading individual message content.
A standout feature of the system is its ability to detect dangerous web links embedded in SMS. These are cross-referenced against an ever-evolving blacklist of malicious URLs, with users being warned before they click.
Speaking at the launch event held in Kampala, Airtel Uganda Managing Director Soumendra emphasized the urgency of tackling spam and scams in Uganda.
“Scams often start with spam,” he noted, adding, “Uganda ranks 16th in spam messages in Africa.”
Soumendra further highlighted Airtel’s commitment to combating digital fraud: “We spent over 10k man-hours on this, and over 50 people participated for 12 months. The scale of the solution is to reach all Airtel customers with a Smartphone and a feature phone.”
He also underscored the purpose-driven nature of the innovation: “At Airtel, we believe that innovation should serve a real purpose, that’s why we’ve introduced the Airtel Anti-Spam Service which is powered by AI to act as a safety net for our customers and the wider ecosystem.”
“Alerting our customers on digital fraud is a top priority, and our commitment is not just to connect Ugandans, but also to support them as they navigate the digital world. Airtel Uganda understands that with greater digital access comes greater responsibility, and we are proud to lead the way in setting new standards for the network-level security,” Soumendra added.
The service is uniquely tailored to Uganda’s digital landscape, with the AI trained to recognize local scam tactics such as mobile money fraud, fake job ads, and impersonation of government agencies. The system also learns continuously from user-reported spam, improving its ability to detect emerging threats.
At the event, Minister for ICT Chris Baryomunsi commended Airtel Uganda for its forward-looking approach to digital safety.
“Airtel Uganda has once again proven itself as a forward-thinking partner in our journey toward a digitally secure nation. This AI-powered Anti-Spam service is exactly the kind of innovation we envisioned when creating policies to support tech-driven solutions to real challenges like online fraud,” Baryomunsi said.
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to encouraging private sector efforts that prioritize innovation and public safety. “As the government, we remain committed to supporting private sector players who prioritize both innovation and public protection.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), George William Nyombi Thembo, applauded Airtel’s initiative for aligning with the regulator’s consumer protection goals.
“The Uganda Communications Commission’s mandate includes Safeguarding of critical assets, consumers, and the public from the different forms of communications-related harm,” Thembo said.
“As a commission, we appreciate the dynamic nature of ICTs, and we are happy to see Airtel Uganda take the leap in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve a real sector problem; Scam follows Spam. I pledge our support for the implementation of an environment that facilitates ICT growth,” he added.
Recent data from the UCC underscores the need for such a solution. Over 60% of mobile users in Uganda reportedly receive suspicious messages weekly, and mobile-based scams led to an estimated Shs 23 billion loss in 2024 alone. Rural users and first-time smartphone owners are among the most vulnerable, with nearly 40% having fallen victim to some form of mobile fraud.
With the launch of the “Beera Smart” spam alert service, Airtel Uganda is taking a bold step in not only improving customer experience but also enhancing digital safety across the country. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
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