In a major move to combat the rise in digital scams, Google has rolled out its powerful on-device AI model, Gemini Nano, across Android and Chrome platforms to detect and block fraudulent behavior in real time. The company confirmed the new security upgrade earlier this month, aiming to protect users before they fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scam tactics.
According to Finextra, the AI-powered feature is first being deployed on Pixel 9 smartphones in the U.S., with broader availability expected soon. Gemini Nano can monitor ongoing phone conversations locally on the device — without sending any data to Google’s servers — and alert users if it detects suspicious activity such as urgent money transfer requests or identity theft attempts.
For example, if a scammer pressures someone over the phone to share personal information or transfer funds immediately, the system will display on-screen warnings, issue vibrations, and sound alerts — effectively stepping in mid-call to prevent the con.
The same AI capabilities are also being embedded into the Chrome browser to catch tech support scams and suspicious pop-ups. Gemini Nano evaluates web content in real time, even detecting newly created scam websites that haven’t yet been added to any blacklist. Chrome on Android now also flags shady notifications with warnings, offering users the chance to unsubscribe or block the source entirely.
Google says all of this processing happens on the user’s device, preserving privacy while maintaining high-speed protection. “No audio leaves your phone. You’re in control,” the company emphasized in its support documentation.
Cybersecurity experts are calling the update a game changer. With online scams becoming more manipulative — often mimicking friends, banks, or government officials — real-time, AI-powered defense is increasingly crucial. Google claims the new system now blocks 20 times more malicious pages than before.
For users, this means fewer pop-up traps, fewer phishing texts, and faster, smarter scam detection at the source — whether it’s a cold call or a compromised website.
Why it matters:
With the explosive rise in digital scams — from investment frauds to fake support calls — Gemini Nano’s integration reflects a growing need for preemptive, intelligent defense tools. As fraudsters evolve, tech giants like Google are stepping in with advanced, privacy-first solutions that work silently in the background to protect millions of users every day.
