Google has announced some major changes to its messaging platform on Android, introducing new tools designed to cut down on spam and keep unwanted content at bay. Users will soon have the ability to filter out scam messages more effectively, especially those posing as job offers or package delivery updates. Additionally, a new system will warn users about sensitive images, blurring photos containing nudity before they’re opened.
The updated features will first be available for beta testers, giving them access to an upgraded spam detection system and content warnings powered by on-device AI. Google is taking extra care to ensure privacy by keeping all image scans on the user’s phone, without sharing the content with the company’s servers.
AI Filters Step Up Against Spam and Phishing Scams
Google’s latest update is rolling out enhanced filters aimed at reducing the number of scam messages reaching inboxes. These filters rely on AI models that work directly on users’ devices, allowing the app to automatically block suspicious texts before they reach the main chat window. The method, according to Google, helps users avoid phishing attempts and scams trying to steal personal information, particularly those that involve fake job offers or bogus package notifications.
This approach is part of a larger trend in the tech industry, where AI is increasingly being used to combat cyber threats. Earlier this month, Microsoft reported a staggering 600 million daily cyberattacks, with hackers relying heavily on AI to target their victims more efficiently. From phishing emails to more sophisticated attacks, the use of AI by cybercriminals has forced companies like Google to ramp up their defenses, especially in messaging platforms.
Google Messages is also introducing a tool that will automatically block messages from unknown international numbers, reducing the likelihood of receiving spam or scam texts from overseas. This feature will be piloted in Singapore later this year before it expands to other regions. It comes on the heels of previous tests that Google conducted in countries like India and Malaysia, where they introduced link warnings to help users avoid clicking on potentially dangerous URLs.
By taking these steps, Google is addressing a growing problem that has been plaguing messaging apps for years: the sheer volume of unwanted messages coming from unknown sources. With the help of AI, the company aims to cut down on these incidents and provide users with more control over who can contact them.
Protecting Users from Unwanted Content
In addition to combating scams, Google Messages will now include a feature designed to protect users from viewing explicit images without consent. The feature automatically detects nudity in photos and blurs them out, giving users the choice to view or ignore the content. Google ensures this process is private, as the scans are done entirely on-device.
Nation-States and Organized Crime Fuel Cyber Threats
The timing of this update comes amid a surge in AI-driven cyberattacks globally. Microsoft’s October 2024 report highlighted the increasing collaboration between nation-states and organized crime syndicates, particularly in countries like Russia, China, and Iran. These groups have been using AI to automate large-scale attacks, making it harder for individuals and companies alike to defend against them.
In Russia, state-backed hackers have been launching ransomware attacks and using malware to spy on government networks, while North Korea has started using AI-powered tools to extort aerospace firms through ransomware attacks. These developments are raising alarms across the cybersecurity world, where traditional defenses are proving inadequate against the rapidly evolving capabilities of AI-driven attacks.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:23 pm CET