NordVPN’s Scam Call Protect Just One of Many Features to be Launched Soon: Learn Details From this Exclusive Q&A

Scam calls continue to be a major source of digital threats worldwide, preying on unsuspecting users through tactics like social engineering, fake caller IDs, and urgent fraud schemes. In response, NordVPN recently introduced a new Scam Call Protection feature on Android in the United States, marking the company’s first step in tackling phone-based scams head-on.

To better understand how this tool works, what makes it effective, and where it’s headed next, TechNadu spoke with Mykolas Dumčius, Chief Product Officer at NordVPN. In this exclusive Q&A, Dumčius explains the technology behind the feature, how users can maximize their safety, and NordVPN’s roadmap for extending scam protection to new platforms and countries.

1. When can users expect Scam Call Protection to be available on other devices and in other countries?

Our team is working hard to perfect Scam Call Protection for Android users and simultaneously bring this same protection to iOS users in the US market. We're making solid progress on both fronts.

But that's just the beginning. We're actively expanding our scam-fighting mission to protect users worldwide. We're laying the groundwork in Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Japan, and Spain. We are working through the legal frameworks and partnerships needed to deliver this protection where needed most. Scam calls are a global problem, and they deserve a global solution.

2. Considering the feature's capabilities, what are your recommendations for how people can best use it for online safety?

Make NordVPN's full protection part of your daily routine. Turn on Threat Protection while browsing and activate Scam Call Protection for incoming calls - think of these as your first line of defense against digital threats.

However, no security solution is 100% foolproof, so your awareness remains crucial. Double-check anything that seems too good to be true, or when you're being pressured to make hasty decisions on unknown calls. If a caller asks for personal information or immediate action, step back and verify their identity through official channels.

3. Could you share insights into previous instances of scam calls and their impact that highlight the need for this feature?

The current iteration of Scam call protection on Android in the US is the initial attempt by Nord Security experts to bring better protection and peace of mind for NordVPN users. We have been closely monitoring market trends and the threat landscape globally, as well as keeping a close eye on our community's voice. Combined, we have decided to step into making phone calls safer globally.

4. Can you elaborate a bit more on the specific features of the scam protection, perhaps detailing how it identifies and blocks calls?

We take a lean and iterative approach to building software, so our Scam Call Protection feature currently works by alerting users on their call screen when a potentially malicious call comes in. We leverage best-in-class intelligence sources and our internal expertise to deliver accurate and relevant threat assessments. Users can then block the call using their phone's built-in call blocking functionality.

Since identifying potentially malicious unknown calls is our core functionality, we're actively expanding the feature to include more call categories (healthcare, finance, etc.), display caller ID, and allow users to report calls, along with other convenience features down the line.

5. What actions will NordVPN take with the reports received from users to further enhance the protection?

User reports are essential to keeping our protection sharp and effective. When users report scam calls, we analyze this data to continuously improve our threat detection algorithms and make our protection more accurate against emerging threats. 

The real-world feedback helps us avoid the latest malicious calling tactics and ensures our database remains current with new scam patterns. Additionally, these reports contribute to our broader threat intelligence, allowing us to protect our entire user community better.

6. Given NordVPN's strong commitment to privacy, could you explain the data handling and privacy considerations behind the Scam Call Protection feature, especially concerning call data or user reports?

Our Scam Call Protection feature analyzes various intel to define phone number reputation, without ever accessing or storing your actual call content. Your conversations remain entirely private. We apply NordVPN's highest privacy and security standards when handling this metadata, ensuring it's processed securely and used solely for threat detection. 

We maintain these same strict privacy standards for user reports. When you report a suspicious call, we collect only the essential information needed to improve our protection while protecting personal data.