AT&T yesterday introduced important updates to its spam-fighting AT&T ActiveArmorSM. According to the company, the new and better network filters blocked more than 1 billion spam text messages from reaching customers in July – their highest-ever total. Every month since then, customers have collectively reported one-third fewer spam texts getting through to their phones.
AT&T blocks spam texts for everyone on their network. But if you download the free AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app, you can now get even more control of incoming text messages:
You can block email-to-text messages – a consistent source of spam. These are texts that appear to come from an email address. Just review the terms and toggle a switch on the ActiveArmor app.
You can have your text messages sorted into separate folders if you use the app on an iPhone. The folders include unknown senders, junk, promotions, and transactions. You decide whether to get a text notification for each category. No other major US carrier offers this feature.
AT&T also revealed some updates on robocalls:
AT&T has taken a leadership role in the Industry Traceback Group, which tracks spam calls to the source. This leads directly to enforcement actions like the FCC’s record penalty against an auto warranty robocaller, and the FTC joining 50 state attorneys general in Operations Stop Scam Calls.
AT&T is using technology like machine learning and the power of the AT&T network to detect and frustrate illegal robocallers.
AT&T blocks all the fraud calls they can find.
