Google’s Phone App For Nexus Now Warns You About Spam Phone Calls
Spam calls have become a significant problem for smartphone users in Nigeria and across the world. While we are all familiar with spam emails, which can be easily filtered in our inboxes, spam phone calls are much harder to control. These calls are not only annoying but can also be a gateway to scams and fraudulent activities.
Recognizing this growing issue, Google has introduced a new spam protection feature for its Google Phone app, specifically for Nexus and Android One devices. This new update aims to help users identify, block, and report spam calls more effectively.
Google’s Solution to Spam Calls
Over the past year, Google has received numerous complaints about spam calls affecting its users. To tackle this issue, the company has updated its Google Phone app to warn users about potential spam callers. Google announced this update via Google Plus, stating:
“We’re beginning to update your Google Phone app with spam protection on #Nexus and #AndroidOne devices to warn you about potential spam callers and give you the ability to block and report these numbers. If you already have Caller ID turned on, spam protection will be available on your phone once your app updates to the latest version.”
This new feature is expected to improve user experience and security by reducing the number of unwanted calls that many users receive daily.
How Does It Work?
Nexus and Android One smartphone users who have enabled the Caller ID feature will automatically gain access to the new spam protection update once they upgrade their Google Phone app to the latest version. This feature works by identifying incoming calls and cross-checking them with Google’s database of reported spam numbers.
Key Features of Google’s Spam Call Protection:
- Spam Warning: If Google identifies a call as spam, the phone screen will display messages such as “Suspected Spam Caller” or “Inappropriate Caller” when receiving the call.
- Call Blocking: Users can check their call history for suspected spam calls and choose to block those numbers.
- Reporting Spam Calls: If a user receives a spam call, they have the option to report the number as spam, helping Google improve its database for other users.
- Automatic Updates: If Caller ID is already enabled on your Nexus or Android One device, spam protection will be automatically activated once the app is updated.
- Easy Access to Settings: Users can manually enable or disable spam protection by opening the Google Phone app, tapping the three-dot menu, and selecting Caller ID & Spam Protection.
Why This Matters for Nigerian Users
Spam calls are a widespread issue in Nigeria, with many users receiving frequent calls from fraudsters attempting to scam them through fake promotions, loan offers, or impersonating banks and service providers. This new update from Google will help Nigerians:
- Avoid Fraudulent Calls – With warnings about suspected spam numbers, users can be more cautious about answering unknown calls.
- Reduce Disruptions – Unwanted calls can be distracting, especially during work hours. This feature will help users focus on important calls.
- Contribute to a Safer Network – By reporting spam numbers, users can help others avoid falling victim to scams.
Google continues to prioritize user security and experience, investing heavily in research and development to address customer concerns. With this new spam protection feature, Android users—especially those using Nexus and Android One devices—can now enjoy a more secure and hassle-free calling experience.
To take advantage of this feature, make sure your Google Phone app is updated to the latest version. If you haven’t enabled Caller ID & Spam Protection yet, now is the time to do so.
What do you think about Google’s spam call protection? Have you been receiving a lot of spam calls in Nigeria? Share your thoughts in the comments on nigerian-news.com!