Google has introduced new AI-powered scam detection features for Android and Pixel phones, aiming to protect users from increasingly sophisticated phone and text scams.
Scam Detection in Messages
Google Messages now utilizes advanced AI to detect potential scam texts in real-time. By analyzing patterns commonly associated with fraudulent messages, such as unsolicited job offers or suspicious package delivery notices, the system alerts users with a warning message if a scam is detected. This feature processes all data on-device, ensuring user privacy. Initially available in English for users in the US, UK, and Canada, it aims to tackle conversational text scams by focusing on detecting and preventing mid-conversation social engineering tactics.
Scam Detection for Calls
To combat the rise of sophisticated conversational scams during phone calls, Google introduced Scam Detection to U.S.-based English-speaking users on Pixel phones. This feature analyzes calls in real-time using Google’s on-device AI model, Gemini Nano, to identify suspicious patterns. If a potential scam is detected, users receive immediate alerts. All processing occurs on-device, ensuring that no conversation audio or transcription is recorded or sent to external servers. Scam Detection is off by default and can be enabled or disabled at any time.
Privacy and User Control
Both scam detection features prioritize user privacy by performing all analyses on-device, meaning no data is sent to Google or third parties. Users have full control over these features and can choose to enable or disable them as desired.
These advancements reflect Google’s commitment to leveraging AI to enhance user security and protect against evolving scam tactics.
