What you need to know
- Google’s Messages app now uses on-device AI to fight off spam, suspicious links, and other unwanted content.
- If a potential scam is detected, the message will either send it to spam or alert you.
- Google is introducing alerts for dangerous links that can lead to malware or phishing sites, which are currently being tested in some countries and will soon be rolled out globally.
- New smart alerts automatically blur nudity in images. This feature is enabled by default for users under 18, but adults must opt-in.
Google has introduced a number of new security features for its Messages app that use on-device AI to defend against spam, suspicious links, and other digital junk.
As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google’s top messaging app has introduced upgraded fraud detection features focused on catching fake delivery and recruitment scams.
If Google Messages detects a potential scam, it will either drop it into your spam folder or alert you with a warning. According to the search giant’s blog post, it uses on-device machine learning to catch these tricks while keeping your chats private. This update is currently being tested by beta users who have enabled spam protection.
Google then deploys smart alerts for potentially dangerous links. These malicious URLs can cause serious problems, from installing harmful software to sending users to fake phishing sites.
The messaging app warns users if they get a link from an unknown source and filters out messages containing such links. Google is currently testing the feature with users in India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and plans to roll it out globally later this year.
Note that while many scam emails are sent from overseas, not all are international. Google has revealed that users will soon be able to automatically hide messages from international senders who aren’t in their contacts. These messages are moved directly to your Spam and Blocked folder. This feature is currently being tested in Singapore and will be rolled out to more countries soon.
The latest safety upgrade also provides smart alerts that automatically blur nudity in images. When users try to share explicit content, they are warned about the potential risks. This feature is enabled by default for users under 18, but adults must opt in through Android Settings. This update will be rolled out in the coming months for Android devices running version 9 or later.
Scammers don’t just rely on international numbers. They often impersonate real businesses or friends. To combat these techniques, messaging apps are launching contact verification systems that use each contact’s public key to verify their identity and check the sender’s credentials through a QR code or registered phone number. .
Let’s hope Google accelerates the rollout of these new features. After all, more than 1 billion people rely on Google Messages to facilitate their daily chats, according to the company.
