Google is introducing a new security feature for the Messages app on Android. As noted by the website 9to5Google, the company is expanding the availability of the “Sensitive Content Warning” feature after beta testing the option since April. Google announced this in October last year.
This feature can detect and blur images containing nudity. However, it will only work if you are signed in to your Google account in the Messages app.
When the Messages app detects and blurs such an image, you can choose from several actions. You can go to the “Learn why images of naked people can be harmful” information page, block the sender’s number, return to the Messages app home screen, or choose to reject or view the image (tap “Next,” and then “No, don’t view” or “Yes, view”).
A warning will also appear when you send or forward a nude image. Your device will remind you of the risks involved, and you will have to confirm your decision before sending the image.
Sensitive content warnings are enabled by default for supervised users, and parents and guardians can manage them using the Family Link app. Unsupervised teens aged 13 to 17 can disable this feature in their Google Account settings. Adults must give their consent if they want to use this feature. They can do so by going to Google Messages settings > Safety & Security > Manage sensitive content warnings > Warnings in Google Messages.
Google designed this feature with privacy in mind. Your device will process and classify images locally using Android System SafetyCore tools. No identifying data, classified content, or results related to this security feature (including detected images of naked people) are sent to Google servers, the company says. Google also notes that this feature is not perfect — sometimes it may mistakenly determine that an image contains nudity when it does not, or miss images that contain nudity without detecting them.
