The rise of scam attempts targeting multiple members of a household has prompted a Swedish tech company to launch a household-level scam-protection feature, expanding its role beyond caller ID. This new feature, designed to protect families from fraudulent activities, allows up to five people to join a family group overseen by one administrator who manages scam-blocking settings for the others. The launch of this feature is a response to the increasing number of fraud attempts that exploit gaps in digital familiarity, particularly in markets with first-time smartphone users and older adults.
The feature, initially rolling out as a pilot for Android and iOS users in several countries, is designed to enable the more digitally confident person in a household to handle scam controls on behalf of less tech-savvy family members. On Android, the family administrator can receive alerts during suspected scam calls, view basic device status, and remotely end calls flagged as fraudulent. This level of control and protection is crucial in today’s digital landscape, where scam activity has been rising worldwide, with countries like India reporting sharp increases in impersonation attempts and multi-step schemes.
The trend of scammers shifting from targeting individuals to entire households has prompted the launch of this multi-user protection system. Scammers often use a sequence of calls, messages, missed-call triggers, and impersonation attempts directed at multiple family members to find a vulnerable entry point. By providing a household-level scam-protection feature, the company aims to address this issue and extend protection to family members without requiring additional effort from users.
The feature is available as a free feature to users, with the option to upgrade to a Premium Family plan for an ad-free experience, stronger spam defense, and automatic rejection of high-risk calls. With a user base of over 450 million worldwide, the company detects around 63 million scam attempts a day, allowing it to track shifts in fraud schemes in real time. The company’s community also reports around 166 million spam calls daily, creating one of the largest datasets of phone-based fraud activity globally.
The launch of this feature is also a strategic move to adapt to regulatory and market changes in key markets, including India, where the government is starting trials of a Caller Name Presentation system. By adding features that go beyond caller ID, the company is positioning itself to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. With the planned expansion of the feature into additional key regions, including India, in the first quarter of 2026, the company is set to provide enhanced protection to millions of users worldwide.
The importance of protecting families from scam attempts cannot be overstated. As more people come online, the risk of falling victim to fraudulent activities increases. By providing a household-level scam-protection feature, the company is taking a significant step towards creating a safer digital environment for families. The feature’s ability to enable one person’s vigilance to strengthen safety for up to five family members is a game-changer in the fight against scam attempts. As the company continues to innovate and expand its features, it is likely to remain a leader in the digital security space, providing valuable protection to users worldwide.
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