Say goodbye to spam calls: Apple debuts new tool in iOS 13 that uses Siri to automatically send unknown numbers to voicemail
- Apple debuted a new feature called ‘Silence unknown callers’ in the new iOS 13
- It uses Siri to scan incoming calls for spammers and reroute them to voicemail
- Comes as Americans were plagued with about 48 billion robocalls last year
Apple is utilizing some of Siri’s smarts to put an end to spam calls.
The tech giant unveiled a new feature in its latest mobile software, iOS 13, called ‘Silence unknown callers’ that should make it more difficult for spammers to reach you.
Now, when a spammer calls your phone, Siri will automatically route them to voicemail.
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The tech giant unveiled a new feature in its latest mobile software, iOS 13, called ‘Silence unknown callers’ that should make it more difficult for spammers to reach you
The feature was debuted on Monday at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference, where the firm also rolled out a new Mac Pro and Pro display, software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch, as well as other new features.
With ‘Silence unknown callers,’ Apple’s digital assistant will scan your incoming calls for spammers and unknown numbers so that you don’t have to.
Any incoming calls from phone numbers listed in your device will still be allowed, however.
‘When the setting is turned on, iOS uses Siri intelligence to allow calls to ring your phone from numbers in Contacts, Mail, and Messages,’ Apple said.
‘All other calls are automatically sent to voicemail.’
Details on the feature were pretty thin, but users will be able to learn more about it once iOS 13 hits iPhones in the fall.
The Verge noted that the feature likely means that users won’t be disturbed by incoming spam calls while they’re using their iPhone.
The feature was debuted at WWDC, where the firm also rolled out a new Mac Pro and Pro display, software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch, as well as other new features
Instead of the standard screen notification that occurs with an incoming call, users can continue to use their iPhone uninterrupted.
Apple isn’t the first phonemaker to launch an anti-spam feature.
Last October, Google launched a feature with the Pixel 3 that lets users screen spam calls.
It uses Google Assistant to screen for spammers and then transcribes the call onscreen so that users can determine whether or not the caller is legit.
Tech giants and US legislators have ramped up their efforts to crack down on robocallers and spammers in recent months, with the FCC getting closer to establishing new laws around nuisance callers.
The move comes as robocalls continue to plague the US and other countries around the world.
Last year, approximately 48 billion robocalls were placed just in the United States, which marks a nearly 60 percent increase from 2017.
