Innovative Approach to Combatting SMS Spammers
An intriguing solution has emerged for those plagued by unsolicited texts from real estate brokers. A system developed over the Christmas break promises a new way to tackle these annoyances using an innovative combination of SMS applications and the Ollama language model (LLM).
The Problem with SMS Spam
Many individuals have experienced receiving unwanted texts from real estate brokers targeting specific properties, often in areas where the recipient neither resides nor owns property. These brokers frequently employ a scattergun approach, scraping numbers and hoping for a bite.
The Solution: Piping Messages to LLM
To combat this, the developer devised a system that controls an Android phone’s SMS application via MQTT from a remote workstation running Ollama. This setup includes a gateway app and an MQTT broker for seamless communication between devices.
Forwarding Messages
The first challenge was forwarding text messages to the LLM workstation effectively. While many SMS forwarding tools exist, most support only one-way communication. By utilizing Android-SMS-Gateway-MQTT, the developer achieved bidirectional communication by modifying the app’s functionality.
Python Script for Enhanced Communication
A Python script listens for new SMS messages and sends generated responses from the LLM back to the Android app. It stores each conversation in JSON files, providing contextually relevant replies.
Sample conversation logs show the system’s capability to create unique personalities for interaction, adding an element of fun to the serious task of handling spam texts.
Experimentation and Results
The Ollama TUI allows for convenient experimentation with different prompts and personas without restarting the script. These personas range from a ‘college bro’ to a ‘British gentleman,’ showcasing the system’s flexibility.
Initial testing reveals amusing interactions, even when bugs cause multiple responses to a single text. Screenshots of these exchanges provide a humorous glimpse into the system’s potential.
Considerations and Future Developments
While this innovative approach offers entertainment and utility, it raises questions about the legal implications of interacting with spam texts, especially when impersonating landowners. The developer advises against closing any deals through the system.
Users are cautioned that responding to spam might enhance the spammer’s ability to target them. However, reporting and blocking numbers post-interaction could mitigate this risk.
As spam becomes more sophisticated, such creative solutions might become essential tools in the fight against it, offering both practical benefits and a touch of levity.