Verizon Communications Inc. rolled out a free call-blocking service, called Call Filter, for customers with eligible devices.
The move comes after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted in June to give U.S. phone carriers more power to block robocalls by default.
Eligible Google LLC's Android users will be enrolled in the service automatically, starting Aug. 27, the company said. Apple Inc.'s iOS users can download the Call Filter app to enroll for free. Auto-enrollment will begin with postpaid customers with eligible devices.
In addition to blocking high-risk calls, Call Filter also provides free spam-detection and can block all international incoming calls.
Users can access additional features, such as caller name and personalized spam lists, by upgrading to Call Filter Plus for $2.99 per month. The free version of the Call Filter service is also available for Verizon's business customers.
Verizon is part of a coalition of 12 phone companies and 51 attorneys general from around the country who agreed to adopt eight principles to protect users from illegal robocalls and make it easier for attorneys general to investigate and prosecute bad actors.
Google is a unit of Alphabet Inc.
