Google is stepping up its efforts to combat digital fraud in India with the introduction of new AI-powered features on Pixel 9 devices. The tech giant recently announced the rollout of on-device scam detection and screen-sharing alerts for financial apps to help protect users from falling victim to online scams.
The move comes in response to the rising number of digital fraud cases in India, with a significant portion of reported bank fraud linked to online transactions. According to the Reserve Bank of India, fraud in digital transactions led to losses of ₹5.2 billion in 2024, while the Ministry of Home Affairs reported losses of ₹70 billion in the first five months of 2025. Many cases likely go unreported, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures to safeguard users.
Google’s real-time scam detection feature, powered by Gemini Nano, analyzes calls on-device to identify potential fraud without compromising user privacy. The feature, which debuted in the U.S. earlier this year, will now be available on Pixel 9 devices in India, providing users with an added layer of protection against scam calls. Additionally, Google is working on expanding the feature to non-Pixel Android phones in the future.
In a bid to combat screen-sharing scams, Google has initiated a pilot program with financial apps Navi, Paytm, and Google Pay to limit fraudulent activities. The feature, which was first introduced at Google I/O, allows users to end calls and stop screen sharing with a single tap, providing a quick and effective way to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Google’s efforts to combat digital fraud in India also extend to its Play Protect service, which blocks predatory loan apps and fraudulent transactions. The company has blocked over 115 million installation attempts of suspicious apps this year and issues more than a million warnings per week for potentially fraudulent transactions on Google Pay.
Furthermore, Google is running a DigiKavach awareness campaign to educate users about digital fraud and has collaborated with the Reserve Bank of India to publish a list of authorized digital lending apps to help users distinguish between legitimate and malicious platforms.
Despite these initiatives, Google still faces challenges in curbing digital fraud in India, including the presence of fake and misleading apps on the Play Store. Security researchers and law enforcement agencies have raised concerns about the availability of fraudulent investment and loan apps on the platform, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and enforcement measures.
In conclusion, Google’s efforts to enhance security measures and combat digital fraud in India are commendable, but ongoing vigilance and collaboration with regulatory authorities are essential to ensure a safer online environment for users.
