GoKawiilC. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR Pixel phones offer a feature that monitors incoming calls for scams.
We’ve seen evidence Scam Detection could soon cover outgoing calls, too.
We don’t know when this feature will be available to users.
Google’s modern Pixel phones offer a Scam Detection feature that optionally monitors incoming calls for telltale signs of scams. Scam Detection is currently exclusive to incoming calls, but we’ve seen evidence that you might soon be able to opt into Scam Detection for outgoing calls, too.
In a recent beta version of the Phone by Google app, we spotted a flag that references the option to turn on Sharpie (an internal codename for the Scam Detection feature) for calls you initiate. We haven’t been able to activate Scam Detection for outgoing calls, but we know Google’s working on it.
Scam Detection works by monitoring the content of phone call audio for clues that the person on the other end may be a scammer. On Pixel 9 and newer, the feature is powered by Gemini. AI listening to your phone calls might sound a little unsavory, but Google’s documentation says the processing happens on-device and neither your phone call audio nor transcript is shared with Google. The feature also requires users to manually opt in.
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A flag in the beta version of Google’s Phone app makes it clear Google is working to expand the feature’s availability:
Code Copy Text enableSharpieOnOutgoingCalls
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