Bharti Airtel has reported that over 1.35 million of its customers in Assam and the Northeast were protected from online fraud within 33 days of launching its AI-enabled fraud detection platform.
The system, now active nationwide, automatically scans links shared over SMS, messaging apps, social media platforms, and email. It blocks access to flagged URLs in under 100 milliseconds, preventing users from interacting with potentially harmful websites.
The tool functions in real-time. In cases where users receive suspicious links—such as those mimicking delivery alerts or banking messages—the system assesses and blocks them if deemed unsafe. Users are then redirected to a notification page warning them of the attempted fraud.
Airtel confirmed that the service is operational for all its mobile and broadband customers without requiring installation or manual activation. The feature also supports multiple languages, including Assamese, to make warnings more accessible across the region’s diverse user base.
According to Airtel, the system examines over 1 billion links each day and has blocked more than 186,000 malicious URLs across India since its rollout began. Assam and the Northeast, being among the regions with increasing digital access, have seen a sharp rise in fraudulent attempts, especially via phishing links and false notifications related to deliveries and banking.
The service is designed to function quietly in the background, covering users in cities such as Guwahati, Shillong, Kohima, Itanagar, and smaller towns like Morigaon, Nagaon and Dhubri. It aims to support a wide demographic—including senior citizens, students and users with limited digital literacy—by intercepting threats before they reach the user.
Commenting on the initiative, Rabi Shankar Mishra, CEO – Assam and Northeast, Bharti Airtel, said: “We are thrilled to advance our efforts in combating all emerging digital threats. Today, we are pleased to introduce the world’s first AI-driven fraud detection solution integrated into our network infrastructure. We are confident that this solution will serve as a significant differentiator and provide a completely new, safe, and secure digital experience for customers in the Assam and Northeast region.”
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