KT has expanded its AI-based real-time spam blocking service to all customers, including users of budget carriers on the KT network.

KT said on Wednesday the AI spam-blocking feature, developed in January, was piloted for 800,000 customers who set the smart blocking function to “high” in the “KT Spam Blocking” app.

KT said it secured service stability through phased operation and has applied the AI function to its existing “Safe Spam Blocking Service” since July 29. KT customers can use the service at no additional cost.

The AI spam blocking service operates 24 hours a day, including weekends and nights. From July 29 to Aug. 3, the false-blocking rate was tallied at 0.003 percent. The total number of spam blocks increased 3.5 percent from earlier levels as it detected spam that was not filtered by the existing method.

KT will also launch a “real-time spam blocking notification service” this month. Users will receive real-time information on blocked spam and can check the blocking status.

Choi Se-jun (최세준), executive director and head of the Customer Strategy Headquarters at KT’s Customer Division, said the AI spam-blocking function was developed to protect customers in real time from various spam and digital crimes. He said KT will enhance its AI-based detection technology to build a prevention-focused customer protection system.