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UPDATE 4/23:
Google is
now rolling out
sensitive content warnings for Messages.
The feature will detect and blur images that may contain nudity in Google Messages, trigger a warning if you try to receive, send, or forward a nude image, and provide resources for you to get help when you receive this type of content, Google
says
.
Any detected nude images are stored on your device and won’t be sent to Google. And it will probably make mistakes. “The sensitive content warnings feature isn’t perfect. It may occasionally detect images that don’t contain nudity or not detect images that contain nudity,” Google warns.
For adults, this feature is disabled by default but can be activated in the Google Messages settings. Unsuspecting teenagers might
shut it off in settings
. For supervised accounts, parents will have to turn it off in the settings of the
Family Link app
.
The improved fraud detection mentioned below,
rolled out last month
.
Original Story 10/23/24:
Google Messages has
announced
Five forthcoming security features to enhance privacy for discussions on the
Android app
more secure and private.
The initial improvement focuses on advanced scam detection. This function leverages on-device machine learning, which is a branch of artificial intelligence, to identify scam messages such as those that are fraudulent.
package delivery
texts and
job scam
texts. Once identified, it will automatically send them to the spam folder or alert the user. It’s currently available for Google Messages
beta users
who have activated spam protection.
Google Messages might soon alert users about potentially hazardous links they come across. The company is currently piloting this feature in countries like India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, with intentions to roll it out worldwide later this year. When recipients get links from unfamiliar sources, the app will issue warnings, and it has the capability to prevent messages containing such links from suspicious origins from being delivered.
As spam texts frequently originate from overseas phone numbers, Google Messages is developing an option to conceal messages coming from unrecognized international numbers and automatically direct them to the “Spam & blocked” folder. This feature will be tested in Singapore before rolling out more widely.
Another significant update for Google Messages includes alerts for sensitive content.
Apple
along with various social networking sites such as
Instagram
Once activated, this feature will automatically blur messages with explicit visual content and display a notification offering various resources and choices. However, viewers can still choose to look at the blurred image. According to Google, due to end-to-end encryption, they cannot view these explicit pictures as they remain inaccessible. This function is scheduled to launch soon for gadgets using Android 9 or newer systems and will come pre-enabled for individuals younger than 18 years old.
Google is currently working on a tool designed to help confirm your contact details and guarantee that you’re sending texts to the correct individual. This functionality relies on “a unified system for verifying public keys” across various applications, enabling checks through either QR codes or numerical comparisons. Initially compatible with Google Messages as well as several additional Android-based message platforms, this update is scheduled for release at some point in the coming year.
Google tested similar
AI-powered scam detection
earlier this year in Gmail, showcasing at a conference how AI can detect phishing scams. Additionally, they have created a feature for Android devices.
uses Gemini AI
to identify telephone scam calls in real-time.
