In response to a surge in spam calls, WhatsApp has implemented backend updates to tackle the issue, especially in India. The messaging app has ramped up its AI and ML systems to reduce the number of spam call incidents, which have recently caused concern among users and caught the attention of the Indian government. Bad actors were using phone numbers with international codes to scam users with fraudulent job offers, often prompting them to connect over other messaging apps.
WhatsApp’s spokesperson stated that the latest updates are expected to cut spam call rates by at least 50%, and the company is committed to providing a safe user experience. The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of protecting user privacy and security, stating that Meta and WhatsApp are fully aligned with the government’s goal of keeping users safe.
India is WhatsApp’s largest market, with over 500 million users, making it crucial for the company to address the issue of spam calls effectively. The problem of spam on messaging apps is not unique to WhatsApp, as Google also faced similar issues with businesses abusing anti-spam policies on RCS ads to send promotional messages to Indian users. However, with WhatsApp’s updates and commitment to user safety, the hope is that the problem of spam calls will be effectively controlled.