Airtel Nigeria has said it is collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to block all loopholes in the SIM card registration.
According to the company, its AI Spam Alert Service is introduced to curb all fraudulent calls and messages that could be initiated on any SIM card.
This came following a report by an online newspaper stating that NCC has fined Airtel Nigeria ₦104 million over SIM registration breaches
According to the report, Airtel Nigeria is facing a ₦104 million regulatory penalty from the NCC for alleged widespread violations of SIM
card registration protocols in Kano, raising fresh concerns over national security and data integrity in the telecoms sector, according to the telecoms regulator.
The online newspaper reported that verification procedure—was not conducted by Airtel’s agents, adding that “the failure to conduct effective eyeballing, NCC says, led to 407 fraudulent SIM registrations with multiple NINs, also contrary to the provisions of the Registration of Communications Subscribers Regulations 20221.
Responding to the news story, A senior official in Airtel who spoke to our correspondent said the telco has introduced a mechanism of spam alert to curb all kinds of frauds.
According to the official, the AI Spam a Alert Service rolling out across Airtel Africa’s 14 operating countries has elaborated on the unprecedented benefits and operating principles guiding the Spam Alert Service.
The official notes that the paltform was designed to enhance user safety, sating the pioneering AI-driven product provides real-time defense against spam and fraudulent SMS messages, making it a gamechanger for mobile security across the continent.
“The Airtel AI Spam Alert Service, which is engineered to automatically detect and label suspicious SMS messages as “Suspected SPAM” without requiring any user action or additional apps, leverages a robust AI algorithm that analyses over 250 parameters.
“Our AI Spam Alert Service reflects our dedication to safeguarding our customers from the growing threat of SMS fraud.
“As the first of its kind in Africa, it addresses a fundamental issue of trust and security, which is paramount to our digital ecosystem. We’re proud to offer this service to Nigerians and extend it across our African footprint.
“Following its successful deployment in Nigeria, the Spam Alert Service has now launched in Tanzania and Kenya and is set to cover Airtel’s entire African operations.
“The service’s automatic activation for all Airtel customers, across both smartphones and feature phones, ensures maximum reach and accessibility.
“Early feedback from subscribers has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the AI’s efficiency in flagging potentially harmful messages without interfering with their everyday communication.
“By pioneering this AI-based spam detection technology, Airtel Africa demonstrates its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge innovation to resolve critical issues facing its subscribers.
The AI Spam Alert Service not only protects users but also sets a new benchmark for mobile security standards in the region. “Our goal is to build a safer digital environment for our users.
“This innovation is part of our broader strategy to incorporate advanced technologies that address real challenges while enhancing the overall customer experience.”
