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Airtel Uganda has launched Africa’s first AI-powered Spam Alert Service, becoming the first telecom operator in East Africa to offer automatic, network-level protection against fraudulent SMS messages.
In a major move to enhance digital safety, Airtel Uganda has launched Africa’s first AI-powered Spam Alert Service, becoming the first telecom operator in East Africa to offer automatic, network-level protection against fraudulent SMS messages.
The innovative service is free to all Airtel customers—no app downloads, no sign-ups. It works silently in the background, analyzing data points in real time to flag scams before they reach your inbox.
According to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), over 60% of mobile users receive scam messages weekly, with UGX 23 billion lost to mobile fraud in 2024 alone. Vulnerable groups, especially in rural areas, are hit hardest.
Airtel’s Spam Alert system uses advanced artificial intelligence to scan over 250 parameters, tagging suspicious messages with a clear “SPAM ALERT” label. It even identifies dangerous links by referencing a constantly updated blacklist of harmful URLs.
This isn’t just innovation—it’s protection. We’re committed not only to connecting Ugandans but also helping them navigate the digital world safely.
– Soumendra Sahu, Managing Director, Airtel Uganda
Minister of ICT, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, praised the move as a “timely innovation” that supports Uganda’s vision of a digitally secure society. UCC Executive Director, George William Nyombi Thembo, added that spam is often the gateway to scams, and applauded Airtel’s proactive AI solution.
Uniquely tailored to Uganda’s scam landscape, the AI learns from local fraud patterns like fake job offers, mobile money scams, and impersonation schemes, improving with every spam report.
This groundbreaking initiative makes Uganda the first Airtel Africa market to deploy the service, with plans to expand across the continent.
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