To help Android users in avoiding text message scams, Google is launching a new AI-powered feature in Google Messages. The scam detection technology, which was unveiled today along with a number of other changes, uses artificial intelligence to recognize questionable communications in real time and warning users before they interact with potential scammers.
The update is a part of a larger suite of improvements for Android users, which also includes special capabilities for Pixel devices, like multicamera streaming and new text-to-image choices in Pixel Studio, as well as live location sharing in the Find My app.
Workings of Google Messages’ AI Scam Detection
Users are notified when a conversation exhibits signs of a scam according to the new feature, which checks SMS, MMS, and RCS messages for unusual trends. Google Messages will alert users to potentially fraudulent messages and provide them with the choice to report the message, block the sender, or dismiss the alert.
According to Google, traditional spam filters primarily work by blocking messages before a conversation begins, which leaves users vulnerable to evolving scam tactics that unfold over time.
“To better protect users, we developed intelligent AI models that analyze conversations in real time to detect suspicious activity, while ensuring user privacy is maintained,” said Alberto Pastor Nieto, senior product manager for Google Messages.
Conversations with saved contacts remain private because the fraud detection feature is turned on by default and only keeps an eye on messages from senders you don’t recognize. Google stresses that no data is transferred to the cloud because all processing takes place on-device. In the upcoming months, the feature will expand globally after first being made available in English in the US, UK, and Canada. If they’d like, users can turn it off in the Spam Protection settings.
Live Location Sharing Comes to Android’s Find My App
The Find My app gives Android users a new way to share their current location with trusted contacts in addition to the AI fraud detection tool. With the help of this tool, users may limit how long they share their location and get frequent alerts about who can see it.
By integrating live location sharing with the same software that tracks lost or stolen devices, this improves upon a similar feature that is already present in Google Maps and makes it more convenient. Google tells customers that they have control over who can access their location data and that it is safely stored.
Exclusive Pixel Features: AI Stickers, Multicamera Streaming, and More
Exclusive new features, including as multicamera streaming on Pixel 9 smartphones, are also being made available to Pixel users. This feature allows users to stream from various angles straight to apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok by pairing their GoPro cameras or even other Pixel phones over Bluetooth and WiFi. This is intended for video producers and live streamers and mimics Apple’s multicamera features on iPhones and iPads.
A new AI-powered feature in Pixel Studio that allows users to new stylish AI-generated photos and stickers is another update for Pixel 9 users. This technology reduces concerns about misuse by emphasizing artistic and entertaining visuals, in contrast to hyper-realistic AI image producers.
Other Pixel 9 updates include of:
- Support for satellite messaging for T-Mobile and Verizon customers.
- Pixel Screenshots offers intelligent a snapshot suggestions that automatically classify significant photographs.
- Enhanced transcription features that let users transfer recordings between devices and have the Recorder app automatically transcribe them on Pixel Watches, Pixel Tablets, and Pixel 6 or later devices.
When Can We Expect to See These Features?
While Pixel-exclusive improvements will be available for Pixel 9 and later smartphones, Google’s AI fraud detection and live location sharing features begin rolling out today for Android users in a few regions. More rollouts for additional nations are expected soon.
