Google Messages adds enhanced scam detection tools

Google has announced several new safety features for its Messages app, including enhanced scam detection that can identify and flag suspicious texts. This feature will initially focus on scams related to package deliveries and job offers. When a scam is suspected, the message will be moved to the spam folder or a warning will be issued. The app uses on-device machine learning models to detect scams, ensuring conversations remain private. This feature is currently rolling out to beta users with spam protection enabled. Google is also expanding its intelligent warnings feature, which warns users about links from unknown senders and blocks messages with suspicious links. A new sensitive content warning feature will automatically blur images that may contain nudity, but this is an opt-in feature that will be available in the next few months. Additionally, a feature to block messages from unknown international senders is being piloted in Singapore and will expand to other countries later. Google is also working on a contact verifying feature for Android, which will help prevent scammers from impersonating contacts, and is expected to be available next year. These updates aim to improve user safety and security within the Messages app.