Tech Explained: Airtel partners Google to offer an AI-powered safer RCS messaging experience in India: All details in Simple Terms

Bharti Airtel and Google have announced a partnership to deliver a secure, engaging messaging experience to users in India. By combining Airtel’s network intelligence with Google’s Rich Communications Services (RCS) platform and spam filtering, users will be able to experience RCS messaging with high-quality photo/video content and interactive elements like message reactions, while also benefiting from enhanced protections that will reduce mobile spam and digital fraud.

Google’s RCS gets Airtel’s AI security: How this new service will work

Google’s Airtel-backed RCS platform will conduct real-time checks to enhance message security. It will verify the sender’s identity using telecom-based business verification systems. It will also follow users’ Do Not Disturb (DND) preferences by classifying messages as promotional or transactional and applying limits where required.The system is designed to stop spam business messages from reaching users and to block harmful links through multiple layers of threat detection. It will also limit messages from senders flagged by Google and Airtel’s AI-based spam detection tools.Messages sent through the RCS platform can be viewed directly in the Google Messages app, which is available on most Android smartphones.The collaboration between Airtel and Google applies telecom-style verification and monitoring standards to OTT messaging services. The system combines telecom-level verification with platform-based intelligence to enable AI-driven checks for sender authentication, user consent, and real-time threat detection.Brands using the messaging service for enterprise communication will help customers identify verified business messages and differentiate them from spam. The system is intended to reduce exposure to risks arising from messaging platforms that do not follow similar verification processes.The solution is expected to support customer interaction by providing clearer message identification and added safety controls. This may help businesses maintain ongoing communication with customers while offering a more secure messaging environment.Over the last 1.5 years, Airtel has introduced AI-based measures to address spam and digital fraud across calls and messages. The company says it has blocked 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam SMS messages through these efforts. According to Airtel, this has contributed to a 68.7% decline in the value of financial losses reported on its network.However, a gap remains within the wider digital ecosystem. Traditional mobile networks operate under defined safety standards and telecom safeguards. In contrast, many non-telecom communication platforms and standalone apps do not follow the same standards. These platforms have seen a growing trend of spam and financial scams.To solve this problem, Airtel and Google have decided to collaborate. They plan to integrate Airtel’s anti-spam facilities with the RCS protocol. The integration aims to provide telecom-grade security for RCS protocol-based services.