Airtel's AI Shield Blocks Cyber Threats for 15 Million Users in East UP

Lucknow : #BhartiAirtel has made a major breakthrough in cyber safety by safeguarding over 15 million users in Uttar Pradesh (East) against online frauds — all within just 56 days of launching its AI-powered fraud detection system. The system, part of Airtel’s nationwide rollout, scans suspicious content in real time to block harmful links before they can cause damage.

The move comes amid a surge in phishing attempts and digital scams in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, as well as rural areas like Jaunpur, Mau, Mirzapur, and Kushinagar. Fraudsters are increasingly targeting users via fake delivery links, fraudulent banking alerts, and impersonation scams through platforms like WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook, and email.

To further this initiative, Amit Gupta, CEO – Uttar Pradesh (East), Bharti Airtel, met IPS officer Naveen Arora, ADG – Technical Services, Uttar Pradesh Police, to present the fraud detection technology and explore potential collaborations to combat cybercrime more effectively across the state.

Airtel’s advanced AI system is automatically enabled for all Airtel mobile and broadband users. It inspects over 1 billion URLs daily and blocks access to malicious websites in less than 100 milliseconds.

For example, if a resident of Prayagraj receives a message saying, “Your parcel is delayed. Track here: http://www.tracky0urparcell.com” and clicks the link, Airtel’s system immediately scans it. If deemed harmful, the user is blocked from accessing the site and shown a warning: “Blocked! Airtel found this site dangerous!” This proactive interception stops cyber threats before they reach the user.

Amit Gupta stated, “We’re proud to offer this AI-driven safety net for our users in Uttar Pradesh (East). Our mission is to protect people from evolving cyber threats and help them navigate the internet with peace of mind. This system is available at no cost, operates silently, and protects everyone — from students and professionals to homemakers and the elderly.”

In the last 56 days, Airtel has blocked more than 212,526 malicious links and shielded 143 million users nationwide. The AI-driven platform also supports multi-language alerts, including Hindi, making it particularly effective in districts with low English proficiency or digital awareness.

The fraud protection system is part of Airtel’s broader strategy to build a secure digital ecosystem, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh where internet adoption is rapidly expanding across both urban and rural regions. The initiative is essential in a time when digital banking, online shopping, and government e-services have become integral to everyday life.

(By R. L. Pandey):