Google is expanding its on-device, AI-powered Scam Detection to third-party messaging applications, a significant step to protect users from the growing threat of online fraud. The feature, currently available for standard phone calls and SMS messages, is being adapted to function with popular chat apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram. This move recognizes that a large portion of modern scam attempts occur on these platforms, and proactive defense is necessary.
The Scam Detection feature operates by analyzing the content of chat notifications in real-time. It looks for suspicious patterns and red flags commonly found in scam messages, such as requests for personal information, urgent money transfers, or links to untrustworthy websites. A key aspect of this technology is that all processing is done locally on the Pixel phone itself. This on-device functionality ensures that a user’s private conversations are never stored on Google’s servers or shared with any third parties, maintaining a high level of privacy.
Users will have full control over the feature. The option to turn it on or off will be available in the settings, and alerts can be manually dismissed or paused for specific conversations if they are false positives. This expansion is expected to be a key feature on new Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 9 series, and demonstrates Google’s continued commitment to using on-device artificial intelligence to enhance user security without compromising privacy.
