Airtel Tanzania has launched a special AI-based spam alert that has been tailored to warn customers of potential scams and fraudulent activities in efforts to accelerate measures against the prevalence of mobile fraud in Tanzania.
The initiation of Airtel Spam Alert service-Kataa Matapeli in Tanzania follows the successful launch of the AI-based technology in Nigeria and Uganda, as the mobile network company strives to enhance customer experience, as the service will offer Airtel smartphone and feature phone customers real-time alerts for suspected spam SMS messages, requires no additional application downloads and is automatically activated for all Airtel customers.
Speaking during the launch, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Jerry Silaa, commended Airtel for creating and rolling out the innovative technology in the country, highlighting that the revolutionary Airtel Spam alert service-Kataa Matapeli will play a significant role in supporting the government’s efforts to address fraud in Tanzania.
“Airtel Spam Alert service Kataa Matapeli, which uses Artificial Intelligence to detect online fraud, directly complements the government’s efforts to ensure that citizens are safe and can avoid mobile fraud attempts more swiftly,” he said.
Minister Silaa emphasised that the initiative taken by the mobile network operator is in line with the government’s ongoing nationwide anti-mobile fraud campaign dubbed #Sitapeliki that focuses on educating the public and empowering them to identify and avoid mobile fraudsters.
On his part, Airtel Tanzania Managing Director, Charles Kamoto, said that the revolutionary AI solution is a statement of the mobile network operator’s commitment to empower its customers against any possible threats from mobile fraudsters, and that Airtel Spam Alert service Kataa Matapeli is available to all smartphone and feature phone users.
“Airtel Spam Alert service Kataa Matapeli is already active and available to all customers using a smartphone or a feature phone, and more importantly, our customers will not be required to download or follow any activation steps. This is not just a technology announcement about a consumer protection milestone, it is a statement that Airtel Tanzania is not only your network operator, we are your digital guardian. We are devoted to empowering our customers to stay vigilant and giving them confidence to enjoy the benefits of digital communication,” he said.
Kamoto also called on stakeholders in the communication sector to support initiatives that are geared towards addressing mobile fraud in the society.
