Google looks to tackle longstanding RCS spam in India — but not alone

2026-03-01 · Source: AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Emerging Technologies & Innovation, Digital Media & Streaming · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Google is addressing persistent spam issues with its Rich Communication Services (RCS) platform in India by partnering with Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator with over 463 million subscribers. This collaboration integrates Airtel's network-level spam filtering directly into Google's RCS ecosystem, a move described as a "global first" for an over-the-top messaging platform. The initiative aims to strengthen protections against unwanted messages and fraud by combining Airtel's network intelligence with Google's platform for real-time checks, sender verification, spam detection, and enforcement of do-not-disturb preferences. India has been a challenging market for spam due to its vast mobile user base and rapid digital payments growth, leading Google to temporarily pause business promotions on RCS in 2022. This partnership signals Google's commitment to standardizing security across the RCS ecosystem, potentially extending this model beyond India.

Key takeaway

For AI Product Managers overseeing messaging platforms in high-spam regions, this partnership demonstrates a critical strategy: integrate deep carrier network intelligence for robust spam and fraud prevention. Your teams should explore similar collaborations to enhance trust and user experience, especially given the competitive landscape and the need to standardize security across messaging ecosystems. Prioritize real-time sender verification and do-not-disturb enforcement to mitigate user frustration and maintain platform integrity.

Key insights

Integrating carrier-level spam filtering directly into RCS platforms enhances messaging security and user trust.

Principles

• Network intelligence improves real-time spam detection.
• Carrier-OTT collaboration strengthens platform security.

Method

Airtel's network intelligence combines with Google's RCS platform for real-time business message checks, including sender verification, spam detection, and do-not-disturb enforcement.

In practice

• Implement network-level spam filtering.
• Verify business message senders.
• Enforce user do-not-disturb preferences.

Topics

• RCS Spam Prevention
• Carrier Integration
• Mobile Messaging Security
• India Telecom Market
• Fraud Detection

Best for: CTO, AI Product Manager, Tech Journalist, Product Manager, Executive

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch.