Google’s new updates aim to safeguard Android users from scam messages. The scam detection tool integrates with on-device AI smart to detect scam messages and inform the user.
A Quick Highlight On The New Google Message Updates
Google has shared 5 new security measures aiming to protect Google message users on Android as part of the cyber security awareness month. Google Messages has been used by over a billion people on a daily basis, making stronger and worthier security measures mandatory. The security features include,
1. Enhanced scam detection system to identify package delivery and job scams.
2. Warning messages on suspected links and URLs.
3. Hides unknown international messages.
4. Sensitive content warnings and blurring of images that contain nudity.
5. A contact verifying system to verify the user’s contact using public keys.
So far, Google’s security measures of 2024 are appreciable, including anti-theft measures for mobile devices and a biometric lock on Find My System. Google is sophisticating its security measures with a new addition of scam detection for its message apps.
The new spam detection system focuses on detecting and eliminating package delivery and job scams with the help of ‘on-device AI’. If a message is detected as spam it is either notified to the user or dumped into the spam folder. However, for those worrying about the leaking of messages, Google guarantees the user’s chats remain private. The feature has already been made available to the beta users and a global update can be expected soon.
In addition to the scam detection system, Google is also expanding its safety warning system which detects inappropriate links or URLs. These URLs are capable of causing damage to software and also lead to phishing sites.
The efficiency of the system is currently being tested in countries such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, where the country’s regulatory policies add an additional layer of security. The global rollout is not yet announced, but it can happen within a few months, according to reports from Google.
Messages received from international numbers concern many, google soon to bring an update that hides these messages without the need for a response. This system adds a layer of security to the users and builds trust in the platform. However, for those worrying about messages from international numbers they know, Google allows international messages from numbers that are fed into your contact list while blocking others.
The Google message apps will automatically hide messages from virtual numbers with an international background. A virtual number is most preferred by scammers as they are difficult to detect and track by the authorities. Such messages will be directly bombarded into the spam and block folder in the messaging app.
Google is also planning for a sophisticated system to control the improper content in the form of images in the messaging app. The new sensitive content warning for Google messages blurs the prudent images before viewing and triggers a warning message on forwarding or sharing images containing nudity. This feature will be available to users aged below 18 years as default and others have to choose it from Android settings.
Some scammers spoof trustful business sectors using a business profile leading to fraud and money laundering. To tackle such situations Google message app is soon to launch a contact verification system that utilizes users’ contacts to verify their public keys.
The public key is generated using the registered mobile number or scanning the QR code. The system would be similar to Apple’s verification system for iMessages. This update is expected to run in Google messages on Android devices with version 9 or higher.
