Google just announced a series of security features coming to Messages. There is improved scam detection focused on text messages that could lead to fraud. The company says the update provides “improved analysis of fraudulent text messages.” For now, this tool will prioritize scams related to package deliveries and job offers.
When Google Messages suspects a scam, it will move the message to the spam folder or issue a warning. The app uses on-device machine learning models to detect these scams, meaning conversations will remain private. This improvement is now being implemented for beta users who have spam protection enabled.
Google is also set to roll out smart warnings, a feature that has been in pilot stage for a while. This tool warns users when they get a link from an unknown sender and automatically “blocks messages with links from suspicious senders.” The updated security tools also include new sensitive content warnings that automatically blur images that may contain nudity. This is an optional feature and also keeps everything on the device. It will appear in the coming months.
Finally, there is an upcoming tool that will allow people to disable messages from unknown international senders, thus cutting off the source of the scam. This will automatically hide messages from international senders who are not already in your contacts list. This feature is entering a pilot program in Singapore later this year before expanding to more countries.
In addition to the tools above, Google says it is currently working on a contact verification feature for Android. This should help stop scammers trying to impersonate one of your contacts. The company has stated that this feature will be available next year.
