Android will use Gemini to warn you about scammy messages
Google has announced new scam and privacy protection tools for Android.
Google has introduced new and expanding scam protections for Android users, including an opt-in setting in its Messages app that uses Gemini AI to warn you about deceptive messages. Toggling on the setting enables Scam Detection, which taps into advanced Gemini models to evaluate the sender's intent and warn you if messages could originate from a bad actor.
Privacy and Security Expansion
The company explained that Android analyzes messages in Private AI Compute, which encrypts data and processes it in a secure space inaccessible to others, including Google. Gemini Nano will also perform on-device analysis of links in Messages to ensure safety before opening. Additionally, Google redesigned its scam warnings to provide more context and extra time before tapping links from unknown numbers.
After introducing Scam Detection in chat notifications on Pixel devices, Google is expanding availability. The feature warns users about potential scams directly inside message notifications. Google has partnered with manufacturers such as Honor, Motorola, OPPO, OnePlus, realme, vivo, and Xiaomi to enable the feature later this year.
Meanwhile, all devices running Android 15 and newer will receive automatic screen-sharing privacy. The feature hides passwords, banking information, and credit card security numbers by default when sharing screens with Chrome or Android WebView open. In December, call forwarding protection will roll out on Pixel and select devices, blocking apps from secretly enabling call forwarding and warning users if tricked into typing MMI forwarding codes.
Google also partnered with banks in Brazil to combat bank impersonation. Android performs verification checks on incoming calls, hanging up and alerting users if the caller fails. Google reported blocking over three million fake calls since launching the feature in June, with plans to collaborate with more partner banks in the future.
