The Google Phone App Will Now Flag Spam Phone Calls

While we all hate talking to telemarketers, spammers, and scammers, there’s not a lot most of us can do to stop their phone calls. “Do not call” lists are only minimally effective, and it’s impossible to ignore every unknown number that pops up on our phones (what if it's the doctor's office? Or FedEx?). That’s why Google recently released an update to its phone app that will automatically warn you when a suspected spammer is calling.

Rather than create a brand new spam alert app, Google is incorporating the spam feature into the new version of its existing phone app. Lifehacker explains that the app update is available for Nexus and AndroidOne devices and can be downloaded on Google Play. Using the same directory of businesses it employs for its caller ID feature, the phone app will now alert users when incoming calls seem suspicious. Instead of the typical incoming call screen, the app will flash red when a suspected spammer is on the line.

Users are free to ignore the warning and pick up the call, block the phone number, report it as spam, or save it as legitimate on their device. While the app update won’t put an end to unwanted phone calls altogether, Google is taking a step towards making spam phone calls a thing of the past.