Rogers and Fido subscribers get AI-powered spam call detection

Photo: Rogers

You no longer have to deal with spam callers or fraudsters with this new feature coming to Rogers and Fido networks. Spam Call Detect uses a proprietary "self-evolving analytics" engine that monitors calls coming into Rogers' wireless and wireline networks in real-time to evaluate if an incoming call is a spam call. Those identified as potential spam or fraud calls will flash a warning message on your phone saying "Likely Spam" or "Likely Fraud" to help you decide if you'll pick up the call. With time, this technology will get better at predicting whether a call is an unwanted spam or fraud. It's now available for Rogers and Fido wireless and home phone customers that have Call and Name Display functionality.

Hiya powers this service and builds on existing measures Rogers has implemented through its work with the CRTC to combat unwanted calls, including Universal Call Blocking, which stops incoming calls from telephone numbers that don’t comply with North American or International numbering plans, and STIR/SHAKEN, which authenticates caller ID information for Internet Protocol-based voice calls.

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Apple, Google, Microsoft and World Wide Web consortium back passwordless sign-in initiative

The three largest computing, mobile, and browser companies are teaming up to back a passwordless sing-in initiative that could remove one of the biggest pain points and security threats today. Weak passwords are responsible for 80% of breaches and hacks, so Apple, Google, Microsoft are leading the charge in a password-free sign-in.

The FIDO alliance will enable users to sign into websites and apps using their smartphones for authentication, removing the need for any password or PIN code. This ostensibly eradicates the need to have multiple complex passwords for varying websites, or the chance that reused passwords leak and allow unauthorized access.

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Fido's limited-time offer comes with 5GB of data for $45 a month

Photo by Meghan Schiereck/Unsplash

Fido offers a new phone data plan that gives you 5GB of data per month for $45. This plan price will only be available for the first year, with the cost increasing to $50 per month before taxes. The limited-time offer is also only for new subscribers who will use their own devices or buy a new one from Fido. Existing customers won't get to avail of this promo.

If you sign up online, you waive the $40 activation fee and get and an additional five hours of free data per month, Fido Xtra perks, and Data Overage Protection. The plan also comes with unlimited Canada-wide calling, unlimited international text, picture, and video messaging, and more.

Fido Xtra perk gives subscribers two free months of YouTube Premium

Fido postpaid subscribers in good standing get a new Fido Xtra perk: free access to YouTube Premium for two months. You can redeem the offer until July 1, 2020. Head to the Fido My Account to get the perk. YouTube Premium is an ad-free YouTube experience where you can download videos to watch offline. It lets you play videos in the background while using other apps or when the device is locked. Plus, you get access to YouTube Music Premium, too. YouTube Premium costs $11.99 a month in Canada.

Source: iPhone in Canada