Microsoft Teams Enhances Security with ‘Report a Call’ Feature to Combat Voice-Based Threats
In response to the escalating threat of voice-based scams and phishing attacks, Microsoft is introducing a pivotal security enhancement to its Teams platform. The new Report a Call feature empowers users to flag suspicious one-to-one calls directly from their Teams call history, thereby strengthening organizational defenses against malicious activities.
Addressing the Rise of Voice-Based Threats
As Microsoft Teams continues to gain traction as a primary communication tool in professional settings, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting voice calls to deceive employees into divulging sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial data, or proprietary business details. Previously, users lacked a straightforward mechanism to report such calls, leaving security teams with limited insight into these threats. The introduction of the Report a Call feature aims to bridge this gap by providing a user-friendly method to flag and address suspicious communications.
Functionality of the ‘Report a Call’ Feature
The Report a Call option will be integrated into the call history for one-to-one calls on Teams across Windows, Mac, and web platforms. Users can access this feature by clicking the three-dot more options menu adjacent to a call entry and selecting Report a Call if they suspect the call to be fraudulent, a scam, or an unsolicited external contact.
Upon reporting a call, only essential metadata and contextual information are shared with the organization and Microsoft. This data includes:
– Call time and duration
– Caller ID (if available)
– Teams user IDs of the participants
– User-provided reason for reporting (optional)
Notably, the content of the call itself is not recorded or shared, ensuring user privacy is maintained.
Integration with Security Tools
Security teams equipped with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1 or Plan 2, or Microsoft Defender XDR, can review and investigate reported calls within the Microsoft Defender portal. Additionally, administrators can access user-reported call data in the Teams Admin Center under Analytics & Reports > Protection reports > User-reported security submissions.
Administrative Controls and Deployment Timeline
The Report a Call feature will be enabled by default across Teams clients. However, organizations retain control over this functionality. Administrators can disable the Report a Call option via the Teams Admin Center under Calling settings if they choose not to utilize this reporting mechanism.
For enhanced insights, Microsoft recommends enabling Teams call reporting within the Microsoft Defender portal to ensure detailed submissions are available for analysis.
The rollout for targeted release tenants is scheduled to commence in mid-March 2026, with completion anticipated by late March 2026. General availability worldwide is expected between mid- and late April 2026.
Proactive User Education
Microsoft advises organizations to proactively inform users about the new Report a Call feature and provide guidance on its appropriate use for identifying suspicious, scam-like, or unwanted calls. By leveraging user reports, organizations can enhance their collective defense against voice-based threats, fostering a more secure communication environment.
