Spam call protection arrives in the Google Phone app for Android

We're used to the idea of filtering spam emails from our inbox these days, but there is also the problem of spam phone calls. These are not just a nuisance, but may also be the start of scams. Google is pushing out an update to its Phone app that helps to keep you protected.

It's a simple idea. Whenever a suspicious call comes through, a warning is displayed on screen to let you know that you might want to either ignore the call, or take care if you answer.

While it's great to be warned about possible spam calls, Google realizes that this alone is not enough. Once the app update has rolled out, a 'Block / report spam' option appears which gives you the opportunity to prevent calls coming through from a particular number as well as reporting it.

Writing on Google+, Google says:

We're beginning to update your Google Phone app with spam protection on #Nexus and #AndroidOne devices to warn you about potential spam callers and give you the ability to block and report these numbers. If you already have Caller ID turned on, spam protection will be available on your phone once your app updates to the latest version.

Full details of how to ensure that you have the feature activated can be found on Google's support pages.