The scam epidemic is costing over $1 trillion a year. It’s a figure that’s hard to digest—roughly three times the estimated cost of ending world hunger. And while regulators have debated and users have suffered, the platforms themselves have largely been left to fight their own battles.
That changed this week.
On July 31, 2025, the Global Signal Exchange (GSE) announced that Microsoft and Meta have officially joined its growing alliance of data contributors and threat fighters. It’s the latest move in what’s shaping up to be a long-overdue shift in how online scams are tracked, flagged, and stopped.
What Is the Global Signal Exchange?
The Global Signal Exchange was launched in 2024 with one simple—but aggressive—goal: connect the platforms, banks, telecoms, and even governments who have the means to detect and disrupt scam campaigns, and get them all speaking the same language. Think of it as a neighborhood watch, but for the internet—and with the firepower of companies like Google, Spamhaus, and now Microsoft and Meta behind it.
Backed by Google, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), and OXIL Research, the GSE is built to share signals—meaning clues and flags about abusive activity. Those include phishing links, fake ad campaigns, spoofed domain names, social engineering attempts, and more. Today, it holds over 320 million threat signals shared by more than 30 contributors.
The Stakes: Real Dollars, Real Harm
According to GASA’s 2024 Global State of Scams Report, scam-related losses have crossed the $1.03 trillion mark globally. That’s not some vague economic ripple. That’s retirement savings gone, identities stolen, homes lost. It’s money leaving real bank accounts, and it’s happening every minute.
To make matters worse, prosecution is rare. The World Economic Forum pegs the number of prosecuted cybercrimes at 0.05%. In other words: if you’re a scammer, the internet has been a pretty safe place to work—until now.
Microsoft and Meta Bring the Heat
Microsoft’s Chris Compton was clear: working alone won’t cut it anymore. “We believe that collaboration across sectors and borders is critical to disrupting malicious activity,” he said. Microsoft sees GSE as a core element in that strategy.
Meta’s Nathaniel Gleicher echoed the need for a united front. “These scams are run by organized networks that cross borders and use whatever platform they can. One company can’t stop them alone,” he said.
Meta isn’t just contributing threat data—they’re testing facial recognition tools to detect scam activity, while also adding consumer warnings and education across platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It’s a rare combination of offense and defense that could actually start to tilt the odds.
The System Behind the Curtain
GSE isn’t a passive database—it’s a live exchange. Every accredited partner gets a dashboard customized to their specific data needs. If you’re contributing threat data, you’re rewarded with higher access levels and faster signal feedback. The model encourages active participation, not just silent observation.
Anyone with a legitimate role in stopping online scams—whether that’s a platform, a government agency, a telecom, or a DNS operator—can apply to join. That includes not just reading the signals but contributing them.
GSE’s Founders and Their Roles
This isn’t just another industry pledge or think tank exercise. The three founding members bring actual teeth:
- OXIL Research: A nonprofit tech group that built and manages the actual software platform powering GSE.
- Google: Contributing threat data (starting with Shopping fraud) and providing financial backing and machine learning muscle.
- GASA: Acting as the glue between all members, tapping into governments, law enforcement, NGOs, and industry watchdogs.
A Necessary Shift
Scammers don’t care which platform they’re on. They don’t care about borders or jurisdictions. They care about reach, speed, and payouts.
So now, finally, the defenders are responding with the same playbook.
With Microsoft and Meta joining Google and others in the GSE, this isn’t just a PR moment—it’s a shift in how online threats are handled. By linking systems, sharing intel, and moving quickly, the GSE could turn the tide. Or at the very least, slow it down.
This isn’t the end of online scams—but it might just be the start of the end of business as usual.