Google Introduces AI-Powered Scam Detection for Android Devices

Scram, Scammer: Android Update Can Flag Fraudulent Texts, Calls in Real Time

The location-sharing feature could come in handy when we're trying to meet up at Google I/O. (Credit: Google) A new Google update for Android enlists AI eyes and ears to try to stop scams in progress. AI scam detection, announced Tuesday as part of a new set of default Android features, does on-device scanning of text messages from non-contacts to warn you that what might seem like an innocuous text is actually the start of a "pig butchering" con or some other attempt to defraud you. The "Likely scam" warning lets you report and block the offending number with one tap. A second scam-alert feature offers the same real-time scanning for calls but is getting a much more limited rollout: It's an opt-in beta for Pixel 9-series phones, which have the hardware required to run Google's on-device Gemini Nano AI library. This software listens to calls from numbers not in your contacts list for phrases and speech patterns that suggest a financial fraud in progress -- like a request for a bank account number -- and will buzz the phone and flash a "Likely scam" alert on the screen. (It's not that hard to spoof a phone number, so a call that seems to be from a friend's phone could be something worse while escaping this feature's attention.) When Google demoed this feature onstage at Google I/O last May, privacy experts warned that the underlying technology could be abused for less helpful purposes. A separate post from Google product managers Lyubov Farafonova and Alberto Pastor Nieto outlines the guardrails built around this optional feature: It doesn't record or store any audio or transcripts and "will beep at the start and during the call to notify participants the feature is on." A second Google feature aims to help connect you to people you do want in your life: live sharing of your location with designated people for designated periods. This feature built on Google's Find My Device system evokes the Find My Friends app Apple introduced more than a dozen years ago before moving that functionality into other iOS apps. Two other additions to Android cover more specialized use cases. A new Shopping Insights feature in Chrome lets you track the price of an item at an online store by clicking a graph icon in that browser's toolbar, while Android Auto has a new set of games that you can play when the car is parked. Pixel users will get an extra set of features in Google's latest Pixel Drop update, which is now rolling out to eligible phones. The most interesting among them considerably expands the utility and coverage of the satellite messaging feature on Pixel 9-series phones. SOS emergency messaging now works in Alaska and Hawaii as well as Canada, the UK, and Europe, while in the US, T-Mobile and Verizon subscribers will be able to text people via satellite. Pixel 9 phones will also get an update to the Pixel Studio app that adds the ability to generate images of people from text prompts and support for multiple-camera streaming on social apps by pairing a second Pixel phone or a GoPro camera. Finally, Google's Pixel Watches are getting what Google describes as more accurate step tracking, the Pixel Watch 2 gains the automatic bedtime mode of the Pixel Watch 3, and the Watch 3 picks up two health features: menstrual health tracking and the "Loss of Pulse Detection" that the Food and Drug Administration just approved, which can automatically call for medical help if it detects you are in a state in which you will not make it to the next Pixel Drop or even the next half an hour.

Google is going for scammers' jugulars with real-time fraud detection

Google Password Manager could soon let you wipe the slate clean with one tap Summary Google's March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop and Android bundle focus heavily on AI-driven scam detection, with real-time alerts for both calls and messages to combat evolving fraud tactics. Scam Detection for phone calls, leveraging Gemini Nano 2, is initially limited to Pixel 9 series users in the US, emphasizing on-device processing and user privacy. Scam Detection for messages, part of the Android bundle, is rolling out to English-speaking users in the US, Canada, and the UK, offering real-time warnings for suspicious SMS, RCS, and MMS activity. It should be available on a wider range of devices. Google's latest March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop and Android bundle are bringing some powerful new features to our phones -- some that we've spotted in leaks and rumors in the past, and others entirely new. These include Gemini upgrades, an option to share your location (and view the location of others) right within the Find My Device app, automatic suggestions for Pixel screenshots, greater step tracking accuracy with the Pixel Watch, and a lot more. However, the clear highlight of the drop is undoubtedly AI-powered scam detection, which aims to identify conversations that seem harmless, "but turn dangerous over time." Related Google upgrades Pixel security to catch scams in real-time Exclusive to Tensor-powered Pixels though Posts 2 Scam Detection for calls and messages has been available in beta since November last year. Roughly four months in, Google thinks the tools are ready for prime time, but not across the board. From the looks of it, scam detection for calls is currently only rolling out for English-speaking Pixel 9 series users in the US. Scam Detection for messages, on the other hand, is rolling out now to English-speaking users in the US, Canada, and the UK, with plans to expand to more countries soon. The latter is also part of Google's Android feature bundle, suggesting that it is not limited to the Pixel portfolio. Google didn't mention eligible devices, though we'd imagine on-device AI support would be a must. Here's what users can expect Scam Detection for calls Source: Google Powered by the Phone by Google app, the feature was tested on the Pixel 9 with Gemini Nano, and other unnamed on-device machine-learning models for Pixel 6+ users. Ultimately, Google found that Gemini Nano outperformed all other models, and as a result, the feature is currently only rolling out to Pixel 9 series users. For what it's worth, older Pixel devices do have access to Gemini Nano, and Google's wording surrounding the tool only making its way to the Pixel 9 indicates that Scam Detection for phone calls is powered by Gemini Nano 2, AKA, Gemini Nano with Multimodality. Considering that the feature processes all of your calls on-device, none of your phone call audio or associated transcripts are recorded, saved on your device, and/or sent to Google's servers. The feature will be disabled for all by default, to enable it: Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu on the top right and tap on Settings. Scam Detection → enable Scam Detection. If enabled, both you and the person on the other side of the line will hear a beep sound at the start of calls. This is essentially to notify participants that the feature is on. According to feedback from our beta users, these types of alerts have already helped people be more cautious on the phone, detect suspicious activity, and avoid falling victim to conversational scams. Scam Detection for messages Source: Google Scam Detection for messages is powered by Google Messages, and similar to its call-based counterpart, it runs completely on-device. None of your personal messages are saved and/or sent over to Google unless you choose to report a message. Only in that case will your device send the associated recent message and sender details to Google and your carrier. The tool looks out for messaging patterns commonly associated with scams, and pushes out real-time warnings if it detects suspicious activity, as seen in the short GIF above. It scans through SMS, RCS, and MMS messaging. Unlike Scam Detection for calls, detection via Google Messages is enabled by default, but only applies to conversations with non-contacts.

Google Pixel 9 is getting a scam detection upgrade you'll want on your phone

Table of Contents Table of Contents Hearing calls to flag risks Scam Detection in Messages Over three months ago, Google started beta testing a new safety feature for Pixel phones that can sense signs of a fraud in voice calls using AI analysis. Today, Google has officially launched the Scam Detection feature for calls, alongside a similar con-screening system for messages. Every year, smartphone users lose millions of dollars to elaborate schemes across the world. The problem is so rampant that the US Office of Inspector General and the Federal Trade Commission have published guidelines on recognising and reporting such deception. Recommended Videos Hearing calls to flag risks To look for signs of scam in an ongoing call, Google is pushing the natural language understanding of on-device Gemini Nano AI on Pixel phones. The AI will listen to the ongoing telephonic conversation in real time, and if it detects a risky pattern, an alert will pop up. Users will be notified via an audio cue, haptic feedback, as well as on-screen notification that the caller is likely trying to dupe them. Google says it worked with financial institutions to study the most common patterns employed by bad actors. Please enable Javascript to view this content For example, if the caller is trying to extract sensitive details such as banking information, coaxing users to install an app, offering freebies, or tries switching to another communication platform, the Scam Detection system will kick into action and raise an alarm. Google says it is rolling out Scam Detection in call for all Pixel 9 series users in the US, starting with support for English language. The company tested this feature with other AI models on older Pixel phones, as well, but found the approach to be less effective compared to on-device Gemini Nano AI. Scam Detection will only be activated for unsaved numbers, and no audio recordings are saved or passed through cloud servers. It's a fully on-device implementation. This feature is off by default, and it can be disabled mid-way through a call, as well. The idea is to proactively look for problematic patterns, if the first line of defense such as spam call blocking fails. "Traditional spam protections are focused on protecting users before the conversation starts, and are less effective against these latest tactics from scammers that turn dangerous mid-conversation and use social engineering techniques," says Google. Scam Detection in Messages The Messages app by Google already offers a robust suite of spam reporting tools. It is now landing support for Scam Detection, as well, just the way it has been implemented for voice calls. Google says the on-device AI will keep an eye on SMS, MMS, and RCS conversations, and will alert users as soon as it detects risky chat patterns. All the chats are analyzed on-device, and only when users to choose to flag the sender as fraudulent that the scammer's details and messages are shared with Google and carriers. Unlike its calling counterpart, Scam Detection in Messages is enabled by default, but it can be turned off at any given point in time. This feature is rolling out more broadly to English-speaking users in the US, UK, and Canada.

Google gifts Pixel 9 owners fresh AI tools including new scam protection feature

Google is making it significantly harder for scammers to reach Pixel device owners. It plans to introduce new scam detection features for the Phone by Google and Google Messages apps in March, courtesy of AI. According to a post on the Google Store, the new feature identifies conversation patterns most likely associated with scammers. Recommended Videos Google explains: "Your phone can use on-device processing to identify conversation patterns commonly associated with scammers, such as a 'bank representative' urgently requesting fund transfers, gift card payments, or personal information like PINs and passwords." Please enable Javascript to view this content In these instances, you'll receive an immediate alert indicating that "Suspicious activity detected for this call." You can choose the "End call" or "Not a scam" options. In Google Messages, the scam detection feature works similarly. According to 9to5Google, this function helps protect users from scam texts that may initially appear harmless but could ultimately lead to fraud. Messages that mention package delivery or promise job opportunities are often the most likely to be fraudulent. Any detected scam texts are automatically moved to the "Spam & blocked" folder. The new scam detection feature for the Phone by Google app was introduced in beta in November. A month earlier, it arrived in beta format for Google Messages. The new scam detection features use Google's Gemini Nano AI model on the Pixel 9 series. On Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8, "other Google machine learning models" are employed. Launched in late 2023, Gemini Nano is Google's initiative to enhance mobile devices with advanced AI capabilities. This on-device AI model operates efficiently, allowing it to perform complex tasks without relying on cloud servers. The focus on local processing prioritizes user privacy while enabling faster and more responsive interactions. Key features of Gemini Nano include improved text processing capabilities such as smart replies, summarization, and enhanced grammar correction. It also offers accessibility features and real-time, on-device scam detection during phone calls. A significant aspect of Gemini Nano is its multimodal ability, which allows the model to interpret and process various types of information, including images and sounds. This sophisticated version is explicitly integrated into the Pixel 9 series and powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip. By operating locally, Gemini Nano reduces latency and keeps sensitive user data secure. These two updates are likely part of the March Pixel Feature Drop.

Google rolls out trio of new Android features for staying safe and connected

It's March and that means it's time for Google's latest Pixel Drop. Among the plethora of features arriving on Android devices, Google has rolled out a few tools designed to keep you safe, connected, and help with shopping. After briefly mentioning it in a blog post last week and then suddenly removing that text from the blog, Scam Detection for messages is here. The feature entered beta back in October last year, but now it's ready for the main stage. If you're unfamiliar with Scam Detection, it uses AI to identify patterns commonly associated with scams to warn you in real time if it suspects a scam is happening. You can then either choose to ignore the warning or block and report the conversation.

Google New Feature Drop Includes Spam Text Alerts, Pulse Loss Detection

Expertise Phones |Texting apps | iOS | Android | Smartwatches | Fitness trackers | Mobile accessories | Gaming phones | Budget phones | Toys | Star Wars | Marvel | Power Rangers | DC | Mobile accessibility | iMessage | WhatsApp | Signal | RCS Google's new batch of Android features announced Tuesday include scam detection for its Messages app and, for Pixel Watch 3 owners, a pulse loss detection feature that will automatically call emergency services. The Scam Detection feature will use on-device AI to analyze conversations for suspicious patterns, and will display an on-screen prompt when the feature believes you are having a conversation with a scammer. That prompt will also provide access to either dismiss the message or to report and block the sender. This feature will be turned on by default, with Google noting that all AI processing remains on the device. The feature can be turned off at anytime. This feature arrives alongside the similar Scam Detection feature in Google's Phone app that was first announced at Google I/O 2024, which sends a prompt when it detects that you might be on a call with a suspected scammer. The new Loss of Pulse Detection feature on the Pixel Watch 3 is launching in the US after receiving clearance from the Food and Drug Administration last week. Google says the feature will arrive to watches at the end of March, and it will activate in events that cause loss of pulse such as cardiac arrest or circulatory failure. This feature is already available in 14 countries including in the EU. Google's announcements arrive amid Mobile World Congress 2025, during which the company is also showing off new Gemini AI features where the assistant can respond to questions based on what your camera sees or through screenshare.

Google sets a date for Scam Detection rollout on Pixels before walking back on it

I love the Pixel 9 Pro, but the Pixel 2 XL is still Google's greatest phone Summary Google revealed, and then subsequently removed, a March 2025 release timeline for its Scam Detection features on Pixel phones. The Scam Detection feature, which has undergone a three-month beta test, utilizes on-device machine learning (including Gemini Nano on the Pixel 9) to analyze calls and messages for fraudulent patterns. References to it coming in March were found in a post about Gemini Nano. Despite the confusion surrounding the release date, the extended beta testing and the upcoming March Pixel Feature Drop suggest that Google intends to roll out these enhanced scam protection capabilities to Pixel users in the near future. Your Google Pixel offers several protective measures to safeguard you from spam, including the likes of Hold for me and Call Screening that can help you avoid unnecessary conversations. Similarly, to combat scams, Google announced two new Scam Detection features back in November, however, those have since been stuck in beta. Google's Scam Detection features scan phone calls in real-time to spot signs of fraud, essentially by identifying "conversation patterns commonly associated with scams." After testing the feature in beta for over three months, it looks like it might be ready for prime time. Related Google upgrades Pixel security to catch scams in real-time Exclusive to Tensor-powered Pixels though Posts 2 As pointed out by 9to5Google, a recent Google blog post talking about Gemini Nano and its ability to power AI functions without the need for an active internet connection also dropped a release timeline for Scam Detection to hit stable. "Scam Detection in calls and messages arrives on Pixel phones in March 2025," is what the blog post read until recently. Surprisingly, though, mentions of the feature arriving have since been removed from the blog post, and it almost looks like Google wasn't supposed to announce the feature today, realized that it messed up, and deleted the reference. Wayback machine wasn't able to scrape the blog post quickly enough, but ironically, Google Search did, as seen in the screenshot below. Scam Detection might arrive with the March Pixel Feature Drop The fact that the feature's arrival was mentioned in a post about Gemini Nano makes sense. Scam Detection runs completely on-device, with no audio or transcriptions sent or stored to Google's online servers. With the Pixel 9, Scam Detection will run completely on Gemini Nano with multimodality. The preventive features will also be available on all other Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, though powered by "other Google machine learning models." The feature will run via the Phone app. Even so, it is currently unclear if it will make its way to other Android devices that support on-device AI. Scam Detection for calls will be disabled by default, and users will be able to enable it by heading to Phone app → Settings → Scam Detection. Elsewhere, in the context of scams via messages, Google Messages will be able to analyze texts that pertain to package delivery and job offers. If it suspects a message to be a targeted scam, it will move the message to your spam folder and push out a warning. Detection via Messages, too, is completely on-device, though we're uncertain if it is powered by Gemini Nano. While Google walking back on the March 2025 release timeline does create uncertainty, Scam Detection being in beta for over three months, paired with March being a Pixel Feature Drop month does give us hope regarding the feature's imminent arrival. Related Android 16 might not let you follow a scammer's instructions, even if you wanted to Scam-proofing your Android Posts

Google's Pixel Scam Detection feature might have been delayed - Phandroid

These days, receiving scam and spam calls is pretty common. In fact, it's actually a little worrying that it's so common. However, last year, Google announced a new tool called Pixel Scam Detection that was supposed to help. According to Google's blog post, Pixel Scam Detection was supposed to launch in March, but now it might have been delayed. Google hasn't confirmed anything yet, but according to Android Authority, they noticed that any mention or reference to the feature on the blog post has been removed. It stands to reason that Google removed it because the feature is delayed, and the company doesn't want its blog post to mislead users. We're not sure why the feature has been delayed, but maybe it's not quite ready for the public as we previously thought. Google had released the feature as a beta last November, so maybe the company is still testing it. For those unfamiliar, Pixel Scam Detection is a feature which uses on-device AI to analyze calls so that it can alert users in real-time if they might be looking at a possible scam. It's actually a pretty cool and useful feature. Hopefully Google won't take too long to sort it out and we'll see its release in the next update.