When Google demoed its new Android feature to combat fake calls, I was interviewed by my own voice. A pop-up warned me of potential impersonation—my very own number could be used against me.

The threat is real: scammers use AI to mimic acquaintances and family members, making it hard for even the tech-savvy to spot the fraud. Google’s new feature aims to digitally verify calls using RCS, ensuring that only genuine connections are made.

Starting today, Android 12 users will see this in action. A silent background confirmation signal checks if the call is real or a scam. If not, the contact photo vanishes and the recent call log marks it as ‘Unknown.’ This could save countless from financial ruin and emotional distress.

The arms race between tech giants continues. While Google leads with this feature, Apple remains unconvinced. But Kleidermacher hopes that widespread adoption will make a significant difference in thwarting impersonation scams.