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Google is expanding its fight against online scams across Asia Pacific with USD 6 million in new funding. Announced on November 3, 2026, the initiative combines Android security upgrades, industry partnerships, and community education.
Google.org will provide funding to The Asia Foundation and the Tech for Good Institute. The program aims to help individuals and small businesses recognize fraud and strengthen their online safety.
The announcement comes as online fraud creates growing financial pressure across the region. Google estimates that scam losses across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand reached USD 114.1 billion in 2025.
The company also cited a United Nations report highlighting scams affecting over 40% of ASEAN consumers. These figures underline the need for stronger cooperation against increasingly organized cybercrime networks.
Google is expanding device-level protections to identify fraudulent calls, suspicious messages, and malicious applications. Android's Fake Call Detection feature targets AI-driven impersonation calls through open RCS technology. This approach also allows other platforms to adopt similar protections.
Pixel devices already offer built-in scam detection across several popular messaging applications. Google plans to extend this protection to additional Android users later this year. The company is also expanding Android developer verification to address malicious applications outside Google Play.
Google is strengthening cooperation with technology companies and public institutions to improve scam prevention. The company previously joined the Industry Accord Against Online Scams and Fraud to support threat intelligence sharing.
It also helped establish the Japan Anti-Scam Alliance to coordinate public and private sector defenses.
Google.org has additionally supported the Global Anti-Scams Philanthropy Collaborative to encourage international cooperation. These partnerships aim to improve how organizations identify threats and respond to emerging fraud tactics.
The new Google.org funding will support community training, AI-powered defense prototypes, and policy research. The Asia Foundation and Tech for Good Institute will help develop these initiatives across APAC. Google also continues supporting local organizations that deliver region-specific digital safety education.
Meanwhile, Google's Be Scam Ready educational game will reach five additional countries. Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam will join its existing markets. The game already operates in Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan through the Scam Ready ASEAN initiative.
The expansion adds another layer to Google's regional cybersecurity strategy. Its combination of technology, shared intelligence, and public awareness targets scams beyond individual devices.
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