While Google’s Pixel phones have long supported anti-scam tools for phone calls and texts, the company took a big leap with the introduction of AI-powered Scam Detection features last year. While they were officially rolled out in March, it looks like Google is already working on a substantial upgrade.
Looking through the latest Android System Intelligence update (version B.13.playstore.pixel10.801661517) on the Pixel 10, the code sleuths at Android Authority managed to activate a page named Scam Detection within Settings > Security & Privacy > More Security & privacy.
This Scam Detection page offers a solitary toggle (pictured below), with the corresponding text explaining that users will get “alerts about likely scams in notifications of chat messages from supported apps.” The mention of notifications here indicates that the feature won’t need to tap into each app, as each notification from a supported chat/messaging app will be analyzed for scams.
Google could tap into Gemini Nano for this, which suggests it may be limited to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 smartphones. It’s worth remembering that Scam Detection is a feature exclusive to the US, at least for the time being.
Some clues about the apps that could support Scam Detection
Interestingly, Android Authority has also discovered a file within the Android System Intelligence update featuring the names of a few popular chat apps. However, it’s too early to tell if these apps will come under Scam Detection’s umbrella. Here are some of the names uncovered by the site:
- Google Messages
- Google Chat
- Signal
- Kakao Talk
- Line
- Verizon Messages
- X/Twitter
- Facebook Messenger Lite
Apps like Hangouts and Test SafeComms Chat were listed here, though Hangouts no longer exists, while the latter is possibly an app used for internal communications at Google. In addition to the brand-new toggle deep within the Security & Privacy page, as well as the names of some potential apps that could support this feature, the publication has uncovered some strings that reveal what the users will see when this updated version of Scam Detection is in operation. Here are those strings in their entirety:
<string name=”notification_adjustment_justification”>May contain harmful contents</string>
<string name=”notification_scam_likely_text”>Likely scam</string>
<string name=”scam_warning_description”>Scam Detection found suspicious activity in this message</string>
<string name=”scam_warning_guidelines_header”>Protect yourself against scams:</string>
<string name=”scam_warning_header”>Likely scam</string>
<string name=”not_a_scam_button_text”>Not a scam</string>
<string name=”snackbar_text”>Scam Detection paused for this chat</string>
Some of these depict common warnings and notifications, including descriptive text like “Scam Detection found suspicious activity in this message.” There also seems to be the ability to mark a chat or notification as “Not a scam,” which can be useful for avoiding false positives.
It’s unclear when these new Scam Detection elements will go live on Pixel devices, although it doesn’t appear to be far away from rolling out. These features will be a welcome addition for Pixel device owners, as they will gain an additional layer of safety from scams carried out via third-party messaging apps.
Google Pixel 10 Pro
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G5
- Display type
-
Super Actua
- Display dimensions
-
6.3-inch
- Display resolution
-
20:9
