Vodafone Idea (Vi) unveiled Vi Protect on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, during the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025) in New Delhi. The AI-powered initiative aims to protect users and enterprises from spam, scams, and cyberattacks. It combines real-time voice spam detection and an advanced cyber defense system to strengthen network safety and user trust.

A Smarter Approach to Digital Safety

Spam calls, phishing messages, and cyberattacks have become daily concerns for mobile users in India. Telecom networks are now expected to do more than just connect people — they must also protect them. Vodafone Idea’s Vi Protect addresses this growing need by integrating artificial intelligence into its network to detect and respond to threats faster than ever.

Launched at IMC 2025 in New Delhi, the initiative reflects Vi’s renewed focus on security, privacy, and responsible use of AI. The company describes Vi Protect as a unified defense system designed for consumers, enterprises, and network operations under one framework.

How Vi’s Voice Spam Detection System Works

The first part of Vi Protect focuses on spam calls and fraudulent communication. Vi’s Voice Spam Detection System uses AI models, web crawlers, and customer feedback to identify suspicious calls in real time.

When a flagged number tries to connect, users will see a “Suspected Spam” label on their call screen. This lets them decide whether to answer or block the number. Unlike third-party caller ID apps, Vi’s feature works directly within its network — meaning better accuracy and no dependence on external data sources.

The system also adds an International Calling Display, helping users confirm genuine overseas calls and avoid impersonation scams. In the background, Vi’s AI continuously monitors threats across DNS, SMS, and Voice Gateways, learning from new patterns and updating its filters automatically.

Inside Vi’s Cyber Defense and Incident Response System

The second pillar of Vi Protect is the AI-driven Cyber Defense and Incident Response System. This setup protects Vi’s internal network and enterprise clients from targeted attacks.

Using agentic AI and generative AI, the system can detect, analyze, and neutralize cyber threats in under an hour. Vi says this approach significantly reduces false positives while improving detection accuracy.

The multi-layered defense process works in five stages:

1. Anomaly Detection – spotting unusual network activity.
   
2. Contextualization and Categorization – identifying threat types and severity.
   
3. Interface Engine Agent – automating initial threat response.
   
4. Suggestive Intelligence – providing AI-driven response recommendations.
   
5. Human Validation – expert verification to finalize critical actions.
   

This hybrid AI-plus-human model combines automation with oversight, ensuring fast yet reliable decision-making. Vi also plans to expand this security framework to its enterprise customers, giving businesses real-time protection against phishing, data breaches, and malware attacks.

A Growing Need for AI-Powered Telecom Security

The launch of Vi Protect comes at a time when spam and fraud calls have reached record levels in India. Vi reports that its network has already flagged over 600 million spam and scam communications, highlighting the scale of the problem.

To go a step further, the company is preparing to roll out real-time URL Protection, which will automatically scan and block suspicious links sent through SMS or chat. This will help prevent phishing attempts and malware infections before they reach the user’s device.

By embedding these AI tools directly into its infrastructure, Vi is turning its telecom network into an intelligent security layer — not just a data carrier.

What Vi Protect Means for Users

For users, Vi Protect promises fewer spam interruptions, safer communication, and stronger privacy. The system doesn’t require additional apps or permissions; it’s built into Vi’s network.

For enterprise clients, it provides a smarter, scalable model for cyber defense — where AI predicts and neutralizes threats instead of reacting to them later. Vi’s strategy positions it as one of the first Indian telecom companies to integrate AI-based cyber resilience across both consumer and enterprise layers.

Key Takeaways

• Vi Protect launched on October 8, 2025, at IMC 2025 in New Delhi.
  
• It integrates AI-powered voice spam detection and cyber defense systems.
  
• The initiative has already flagged 600+ million spam and scam communications.
  
• Real-time URL Protection will be added soon for phishing prevention.
  
• The system will also be extended to enterprise clients across India.
  

FAQs

1. What is Vi Protect?
   Vi Protect is Vodafone Idea’s AI-powered program that protects users and enterprises from spam calls, scams, and cyber threats.
2. When and where was Vi Protect launched?
   It was launched on October 8, 2025, at the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025) in New Delhi.
3. How does the Voice Spam Detection System work?
   It uses AI and user feedback to detect and flag suspicious calls, alerting users with a “Suspected Spam” label in real time.
4. What does the Cyber Defense System do?
   It uses agentic and generative AI to detect, analyze, and neutralize cyberattacks within an hour while minimizing false positives.
5. What new features are coming to Vi Protect?
   Vi plans to introduce real-time URL protection to block malicious links before users click on them.

Conclusion

With Vi Protect, Vodafone Idea has positioned itself as a leader in telecom security innovation. The initiative blends AI precision with human expertise to combat modern spam and cyber threats. For millions of Vi users, it means safer communication and stronger trust in the network they rely on every day.