Verizon to enable spam call filtering by default on select Android phones

Available on select Android handsets at first

Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Verizon is starting to opt in customers to its call filtering service so they can better identify and block spam calls. The carrier launched the free service earlier this year, but it will now download its call filtering app on select Android devices automatically and opt customers into a degree of spam blocking using the service.

First released for free back in March, Verizon’s call filtering service allows customers to get an alert when a call is likely spam, report unsolicited numbers, and block spam calls based on a “preferred level of risk.” However, in June the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow carriers to block robocalls by default, and Verizon is now taking advantage of this new rule. Users can still opt out if they want to.

Verizon says that calls from numbers that have been reported as fraudulent will be automatically blocked, while other numbers will generate a “potential spam” warning message on the incoming call screen. Calls from known contacts will be unaffected. Users also have the option of blocking all international calls if the only ones they receive are spam.

A Verizon spokesperson told The Verge that the service’s rollout will be staggered, with new devices added each week. Users with iOS devices will still be able to access the service, but they’ll have to download Verizon’s Call Filter app manually.

The rollout will start with Samsung devices, with new models being added to the list over time. The initial list includes:

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Comments

What Verizon, no Pixel support?

By imadesigner on 08.27.19 11:28am

Will verizon offer this support to the unlocked version of these phones? The lack of Pixel support makes me think this service will only be available for the Verizon branded versions (even though verizon offers the Pixel; verizon was not allowed to modify the ROM as far as I know).

By theGekkoST on 08.27.19 3:18pm

This whole thing shows how badly run the telcos are to let this get this bad. They were short sighted and wanted a free for all on calls with no sensible rules to maximise their revenue and now look where we are. My poor retired parents get harassed by robo calls, fake texts etc. Every week there’s countless examples of people being scammed and that’s just the ones people want to admit so I shudder to think of the amount of poor old people being scammed out of life savings. Why it’s allowed for anyone to spoof a phone number or even a text word for texts is simply unbelievable. What a disaster. Heads should roll.

By Jazstar on 08.28.19 2:59am

The app will simply send suspicious calls directly to voicemail. This is, in essence, what the "Block List" feature does on Samsung mobile phones. The app won’t work when a telemarketer spoofs valid telephone numbers, so, those can still pose a problem.

By dexman335 on 08.29.19 9:30pm

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