International calls scam

International calls scam: WhatsApp issues statement saying it’s upgraded its AI systems

A WhatsApp spokesperson warned that by giving a missed call, bad actors lead curious users to call or message back only to get scammed.

WhatsApp is used by billions worldwide to keep in touch with their friends, family, and colleagues. (LAKSHY DREAM FOUNDATION GLOBAL NEWS Photo)

A growing menace of annoying calls from international numbers has been troubling WhatsApp users all over the country for several days now. Taking cognizance of the matter, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said they’ll send a notice to WhatsApp about it. Now, WhatsApp has issued a statement in response.

“We continue to provide several safety tools within WhatsApp like Block & Report, consistently build user safety education and awareness, as well as, proactively weed out bad-actors from our platform,” a WhatsApp Spokesperson stated.

The spokesperson acknowledged that bad actors still find different ways to scam users, adding that international scam calls is a new way that bad actors have recently adopted.

“By giving a missed call, they lead curious users to call or message back only to get scammed,” the spokesperson warned.

Also read | What you can do about the annoying WhatsApp calls from unknown international numbers

To bring down such incidents, WhatsApp has quickly ramped up its artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, according to the statement: “Our new enforcement will reduce the current calling rate by at least 50% and we expect to be able to control the current incidence effectively. We will continue to work relentlessly towards ensuring a safe experience for our users.”

On Thursday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar spoke about the WhatsApp international calls issue on the sidelines of an event organised by the Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI). “The Ministry is taking note of it, they will send them a notice,” he said

He added that the government was considering what permissions preloaded apps should be allowed to have. The minister emphasised that the platforms have a responsibility to ensure the safety and trust of users.

“I have said repeatedly that openness trust, safety and accountability are the responsibility of platforms who deliver to digital nagriks,” rue minister noted.

Earlier today, WhatsApp issued another statement advising users on what to ensure from their end.