Google has put SMS scam AI on Android

Developers from Google announced the imminent appearance of five new features in the Messages application aimed at increasing the level of security and privacy. The mentioned innovations are aimed at simplifying the identification of fraudulent messages, warning about malicious links, etc.

Image source: Google

First of all, Google has improved its fraud detection feature. It is based on machine learning technologies that allow you to effectively analyze the text of messages to identify messages whose authors may be scammers. Once a suspicious message is detected, it will be automatically moved to spam and the user will receive a corresponding notification. It is noted that message processing occurs on the user device, and no data is transmitted to remote servers. At the moment, the feature in question is available to a limited number of users of the beta version of the Messages application who have activated the anti-spam option.

Another innovation in the Messages app will be a warning function about potentially dangerous links. For example, the user will be warned if a message with a link comes from an unknown sender. This option is currently being tested in India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It will be available to compatible device users worldwide later this year.

Spam messages often come from phone numbers in other countries. To combat them, an option will appear in “Messages”, after activation of which messages from unknown numbers from other countries will be automatically hidden and moved to the “Spam and blocked” folder. Testing of this function will take place in Singapore, after which its large-scale distribution will begin.

In addition to this, there will be a warning feature for inappropriate content. For example, the application will warn the user if the message contains images of erotic content. In this case, the pictures themselves will be blurred and the user will need to confirm their opening to view them. Google said that all messages in the application are encrypted, so the company itself or any other third parties will not have access to users’ private content. This feature will be available in the Messages app on devices running Android 9 and later OS in the coming months. It will be activated automatically for users of devices under 18 years of age.

Google is also working on a contact verification feature that will help ensure that messages are sent from a valid recipient and not a fake contact. By using a QR code or comparing numbers, it will be possible to confirm that the message came from a valid recipient. This option will appear in the Messages app and some other messaging apps for Android next year.