Do you wish your Google Pixel’s scam detection feature worked in more places, like your favorite chat apps or Instagram Messenger? If so, we have some potentially good news. This week, we learned that Google is getting ready to expand this great feature beyond calls and texts, making its phones safer than ever.
Last year, Google introduced a new scam detection feature for its Pixel phones, building on tools like call screening and hold for me, which are some of our favorite reasons to own a Pixel. The detection mode essentially uses AI to detect when a scammer is calling, or even when you’re actively on the call, and will alert you that something isn’t right.
Google’s scam detection feature made its way to text messages in May, as long as you use Google Messages. Now, it looks like that same superpower is coming to third-party apps.
Pixel Scam Detection for Other Chat Apps
Your Pixel phone’s best feature could be about to get even better. First spotted by AndroidAuthority, the latest Android System Intelligence update for the Google Pixel 10 (version B.13.playstore.pixel10.801661517) has countless hints at scam detection in other apps.
It’s important to note that this feature isn’t available yet, but there’s a good chance it’s coming soon. Several lines of code suggest that those “Scam Likely” alerts could soon appear in WhatsApp, Instagram, Signal, Line, Verizon Messages, Twitter, and more. The outlet managed to get a screen for this unreleased feature to appear in the settings menu, which will be under Settings > Security & Privacy > More Security & Privacy > Scam Detection. Once enabled, the feature says, “Get alerts about suspicious activity in notifications of chat messages from supported apps.”
Furthermore, the feature has a little notice at the bottom reaffirming that the Pixel’s scam detection mode is a protected feature that runs in a secure, isolated environment. And that all processing, information, and alerts are kept private. By that, Google basically means your privacy isn’t at risk.
Taking things a bit further, Google’s upcoming scam detection for chat apps could warn you about spam or scams, or that a message “may contain harmful content,” and may even issue a pop-up with guidelines about how to protect yourself from scams.
Currently, Google Pixel phones keep phone calls and text messages safe with this feature, which is powered by Gemini Nano. The company even expanded it into Google Chrome earlier this year. I don’t know about you guys, but this all sounds pretty great. As we all know, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter are full of spam, scams, and fraud. Anything our phones can do to alert users or stop bad actors in their tracks is good for everyone.
For now, your Pixel will continue to spot scams in calls and text messages, and if what we’re seeing is accurate, your Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series phones’ Scam Detection mode is about to get a lot better.
Source: Android Authority
