Google Messages has introduced a new set of features aimed at enhancing user experience and safety for Android and Pixel users. The most notable update is the launch of an AI-powered scam detection tool, which aims to protect users from rising cyber scams.
In a blog post on March 4, Google announced several new features designed to keep users connected and secure. Among these, the Scam Detection tool is a significant highlight. This feature uses advanced AI to monitor SMS, MMS, and RCS messages in real-time, identifying suspicious patterns that may indicate fraudulent activity.
The scam detection system works by actively scanning messages, alerting users when a potential scam is detected. If a scam is suspected, users are given the option to dismiss the message, report it, or block the sender. Google notes that this feature specifically targets deceptive conversational scams—those that begin innocuously and later evolve into fraudulent schemes.
The Scam Detection tool will initially launch in English and be available in the US, UK, and Canada. It will be expanded to more countries in the future. Importantly, the feature is enabled by default and only monitors messages from unknown contacts, ensuring personal conversations remain unaffected. Google has emphasized that all message analysis is performed directly on the device, ensuring privacy. Users can opt to disable this feature through the Spam Protection settings in Google Messages.
In addition to scam detection, Google has rolled out the ability for users to share their live location, similar to the feature in WhatsApp. With Google’s Find My Device app, users can now share their real-time location with trusted contacts, adding an extra layer of safety and convenience. This feature is useful for coordinating meetups or ensuring that loved ones arrive safely at their destinations. The live location view works across different devices, allowing users to track their friends’ locations regardless of the device they are using. As with all location data, Google ensures that users maintain full control over who can see their location and for how long.
Another key update focuses on exclusive features for Google Pixel users. The Pixel 9, for instance, now supports new connectivity and creative tools. Users can link GoPro cameras or other Pixel phones via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to stream from multiple angles on supported apps like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok—mirroring Apple’s multicamera functionality on iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the Pixel Studio app introduces a feature that allows users to generate stylized images or stickers of people, with safeguards in place to prevent misuse for creating realistic AI-generated images.
With these new features, Google is aiming to improve both the safety and the user experience on its platform, keeping users connected while ensuring their privacy and security.
