Meta announces new device-based WhatsApp tool that uses AI to scan for scams

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Imagine you had an assistant who alerted you that the person you were chatting with was a scammer.

Meta has announced a new WhatsApp feature that uses AI to spot scams.

"Scam Alert" -- currently out in beta testing -- is an opt-in tool that users can download to their phone. It uses machine learning to scan your conversations and detect "scam patterns."

The tool has been trained on messages reported as scams to Meta by users. When it detects red flags in your chat, it displays a warning and prompts the user to block, report or continue the conversation.

Meta says that the feature will not transmit any data off of your phone unless you give it permission to do so. All of the AI model's analysis takes place right on your device.

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, with more than 3 billion users... and the FTC reports that one in three people who lost money to scammers... say it all started on social media.

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