Google: Android Outperforms iOS in Mobile Scam Protection
Category:Research & Analysis
Google published research showing Android's AI-driven scam protections outperform iOS. What's interesting: YouGov survey of 5,000 users found Android users 58% more likely to report zero scam texts vs iOS (96% advantage for Pixel specifically). iPhone users 65% more likely to receive 3+ scam texts weekly, and 150% more likely to rate their device as not effective at scam protection. Technical differences: Android uses on-device AI for Scam Detection in Messages and Phone (analyzes conversational patterns for pig butchering scams), Google Messages filters spam to separate folder, blocks suspicious links, while Phone by Google auto-blocks spam calls and uses Call Screen to identify fraudsters. Counterpoint Research found Android provides AI-powered protections in 10 categories vs iOS's 2. Leviathan Security Group confirmed Pixel 10 Pro provides highest default scam protection. The scale: Android blocks 10B+ suspected malicious calls/messages monthly, blocked 100M+ suspicious RCS numbers last month alone.
CORTEX Protocol Intelligence Assessment
This highlights platform-level investment in anti-fraud AI—Google leveraging its massive threat intelligence corpus to build proactive defenses at scale. The on-device processing addresses privacy concerns while enabling real-time scam detection. The 10 billion monthly blocked threats number demonstrates the magnitude of mobile fraud attempts targeting users globally.
Strategic Intelligence Guidance
- Organizations deploying mobile fleets: prioritize Android devices for users at high phishing/fraud risk (executives, finance teams, IT admins).
- Enable and enforce native protections: ensure Google Messages Scam Detection and Phone Call Screen are active—many features require opt-in.
- Security awareness: train users that scam calls/texts increasingly leverage AI to appear legitimate—rely on device protections, verify independently.
- iOS users: implement third-party anti-fraud solutions, enforce stricter policies around unknown caller/message handling, consider conditional access based on device posture.
Vendors
Threats
Targets
Impact
Financial:10B+
Intelligence Source: How Android provides the most effective protection to keep you safe from mobile scams | Oct 31, 2025