Google Messages is using AI to detect scam texts

Google Messages is introducing an AI feature that aims to help protect Android users from text message scams. The new AI-powered scam detection tool was announced today alongside other new features, including live location sharing in the Find My app for Android users and features specifically for Pixel owners like multicamera streaming support and new text-to-image options in Pixel Studio.

Scam Detection in Google Messages works by monitoring SMS, MMS, and RCS messages in real time for suspicious patterns. Once a likely scam has been detected, Google Messages will present a warning message to users that allows them to quickly dismiss it or report and block the sender. Google says the feature is designed to tackle “conversational text scams that begin innocently” before later initiating nefarious schemes.

“Traditional spam protections are focused on protecting users before the conversation starts, and are less effective against these latest tactics from scammers that turn dangerous mid-conversation and use social engineering techniques,” says Alberto Pastor Nieto, senior product manager for Google Messages. “To better protect users, we invested in new, intelligent AI models capable of detecting suspicious patterns and delivering real-time warnings over the course of a conversation, all while prioritizing user privacy.”

Scam Detection is launching in English and rolling out to the US, UK, and Canada first, with expansion to more countries coming “soon.” The feature is on by default and only monitors conversations with people who aren’t saved to your contacts list. Google says that all message processing occurs on-device to keep user conversations private. The feature can be disabled under Google Messages’ Spam Protection settings.

Another feature that starts rolling out to Android users today is the ability to share live location information with “trusted contacts” in the Find My app. Google says that location data is “safely stored” and that users can select who they want to share their location with and for how long, with the app dropping “regular reminders” about who this information is being shared with. A similar feature was already available for Google Maps, but now people can coordinate meetups or find lost friends in the same app used to find missing devices.

Google is also releasing additional features that are only available on Pixel devices. Pixel 9 users can now connect GoPro cameras or other Pixel phones to their own device via Bluetooth and WiFi to stream from different angles on compatible apps, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok — similar to Apple’s multicamera feature on iPads and iPhones. Pixel 9 users can also now use the Pixel Studio app to generate images or stickers of people. These will be stylized rather than realistic to prevent the tool from being misused.

Other Pixel 9-specific updates include support for satellite messaging on both Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as suggestions in Pixel Screenshots that will automatically recommend which screenshots should be added to the user’s collections. Transcription has also been refreshed for Pixel Watches, Pixel Tablets, and Pixel 6 phones and newer, allowing users to transfer audio recordings from old devices and have them automatically transcribed and saved within the Recorder app.

All the features mentioned in this article are starting to roll out today but may take a few weeks to appear on supported devices.