Google LLC today announced the launch of the Global Signal Exchange, a new initiative in partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and the DNS Research Federation that creates a centralized platform to combat online scams and fraud.
The new GSE has the ambition of being a global clearinghouse for online scams and fraudulent bad actor signals. The collaboration, led by Google as the founding member, leverages the strengths of each partner with the goal of creating a user-friendly, efficient solution that operates on an internet scale and is accessible to qualifying organizations.
GASA brings to the exchange an extensive network of stakeholders, the DNS Research Federation offers a robust data platform with already more than 40 million signals and Google is offering the exchange its experience in combating scams and fraud. By joining forces and establishing a centralized platform, GSE aims to improve the exchange of abuse signals, enabling faster identification and disruption of fraudulent activities across various sectors, platforms and services.
GSE has already started operating through an initial pilot testing program, with Google sharing more thann 100,000 URLs of bad merchants while also ingesting 1 million scam signals. While only starting with Google Shopping URLs that have already been actioned under scam policies, the plan is that Google will add additional data soon from other relevant Google product areas as testing proceeds.
The data engine powering the platform runs on Google Cloud Platform and will allow participants to both share and consume signals gathered by others. Additionally, users will also benefit from Google Cloud’s artificial intelligence capabilities to find patterns and match signals smartly.
In addition to the GSE launch, Google announced that it is supporting the DNS Research Federation and GASA with new funding to launch the GSE. The support will also enable the sending and receiving of signals related to scam and fraud activities across relevant and in-scope products and services related to online scams and fraud.
“We know from experience that fighting scams and the criminal organizations behind them requires strong collaboration among industry, businesses, civil society and governments to combat bad actors and protect users,” Google wrote in a blog post. “We’re committed to doing our part to protect users, including through our continued work developing tools, publishing research and sharing expertise and information with others to protect people online.”