Google is to start taking spam calls seriously within the next couple of weeks, adding a chat head for quick in-call controls.

The tech giant is to add a spam filter to the default dialer for Android One, Pixel and Nexus devices, as well as a new beta programme, while using artificial intelligence (AI) to filter calls the same way it does spam messages in Gmail.

Its phone apps are also due to have an update, which will send spam calls directly to voicemail without ringing the user of the device.

Despite this, filtered calls will be accessible via the call history.

Written by Leah Alger