Launch graced by Minister of Information & Digitalisation Kunkuyu and MACRA Director General Daud Suleman
* Requires no application downloads and is automatically activated for all Airtel customers at no extra cost
* Spam in this context refers to unsolicited SMS messages to phones, often from fraudsters and scammers
* The messages are usually socially engineered and potentially lead to harvesting of data, spreading malware and swindling of money from unsuspecting mobile users
By Duncan Mlanjira
In a bold move to protect its customers from mobile money fraud, Airtel Malawi has launched a ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Spam Alert Service aimed at protecting customers from fraudsters and scammers — which will be available to all its subscribers at no cost.
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Launched today by Airtel Malawi Managing Director (MD), Ashish Dutt — joined by Minister of Information & Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General Daud Suleman — the service has been described as “unprecedented innovation”, which offers Airtel smartphone and feature phone customers “real-time alerts for suspected spam SMS messages”.
“It requires no application downloads and is automatically activated for all Airtel customers at no extra cost,” says the statement — while clarifying that “Spam in this context refers to unsolicited SMS messages to phones, often from fraudsters and scammers.
“The messages are usually socially engineered and potentially lead to harvesting of data, spreading malware and swindling of money from unsuspecting mobile users.
“With incidents such as fake Airtel Money transaction messages, ‘Miracle’ money prompts, impersonation of Airtel staff, and suspicious ‘you’ve won a prize’ messages, the Spam Alert technology is designed to give power back to the customer by classifying suspicious SMS messages as ‘Suspected SPAM’.”
Customers are being assured that without reading specific SMS messages, Airtel’s Spam Alert AI “analyses over 250 parameters, including the sender’s usage patterns such as SMS frequency and geographical spread of targets in real time”.
“The AI Spam Alert Service is designed to filter all SMSes through proprietary dual-layer protection; one layer at the network level and the other at the IT systems level — processing over 18 million messages, each in 2 milliseconds.
“Additionally, the software alerts customers of malicious weblinks received via SMS. For this purpose, a centralised database of blacklisted URLs is maintained, and by scanning every SMS in real time, the AI system can warn users against accidentally clicking any suspicious links.”
On his part at the launch in Lilongwe, Airtel Malawi MD, Ashish Dutt, said: “This service is more than just technology, it’s a promise to our customers that their safety and trust are our top priorities.
MD, Ashish Dutt
“We heard Malawians loud and clear, and this Spam Alert Service is our answer. With AI on our side, we are not just reacting to fraud, we are proactively staying ahead of it and the best part is this service is accessible to all our customers for free.”
With the launch of this AI-powered Spam Alert Service, Airtel Malawi once again leads the industry in innovation, reaffirming its commitment to protecting customers and advancing digital trust in Malawi.
Airtel maintains that the initiative also supports Malawi Government’s digital financial inclusion agenda “by creating a safer digital ecosystem, particularly for mobile money users, who are often targeted by scammers.”
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Airtel Malawi Plc gives customers the satisfaction that it is more than a network— but “a bridge that connects lives, empowers dreams, and drives progress.
“As Malawi’s leading mobile service provider, we deliver seamless 4G/LTE, 3G, and 2G wireless networks, alongside high-speed fixed broadband.
“Since 2010, we have been committed to innovation and inclusion, ensuring that every Malawian stays connected to opportunities, loved ones, and a brighter future. “As part of Airtel Africa’s footprint in 14 countries, our mission remains clear — to empower communities and make digital accessibility a reality.
