SEOUL, June 16 (AJP) - Samsung Electronics is upgrading the security framework of its Galaxy mobile devices to combat a surge in voice phishing and financial fraud in South Korea, introducing pre-emptive blocking measures against malicious applications and messages.
Voice phishing remains a severe socio-economic issue in the country. According to data from the National Police Agency, South Korea recorded 23,360 voice phishing cases in 2025, resulting in financial damages totaling 1.25 trillion won.
In response to the growing threat, Samsung announced that its upcoming One UI 9.0 operating system—slated for release on new Galaxy devices in the second half of the year—will feature an advanced phishing application alert system. The updated software will not only prevent the installation of known malicious applications by scanning app reputation data, but will also actively block their execution if they are already installed or downloaded via remote control.
To maintain an updated threat database, the tech giant is collaborating closely with South Korean government bodies, including the National Police Agency, the National Forensic Service, and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).
Relying on data provided by these agencies, Samsung has deployed a deep-learning artificial intelligence system to filter illegal spam related to gambling, loans, and smishing. The company reported that it has blocked approximately 400 million malicious messages between September 2024 and April 2026.
Recent updates have also heavily integrated on-device AI to intercept scams before financial damage occurs. The Galaxy S26 series introduced a "Call Screening" function that summarizes caller information and intent before the user answers, allowing them to reject suspected spam without compromising data privacy.
Additionally, an AI-powered voice phishing detection tool analyzes live calls to issue real-time warnings. Samsung noted that this feature, activated by default for enhanced security, is currently in use on approximately 84 percent of eligible devices as of April 2026.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
