Google Messages to send warnings for sensitive content

Google is making it easier for users to manage sensitive images in the Messages app with a new feature, Sensitive Content Warnings. This feature will protect users from unexpected nudity in the messages they receive. It is expected to be available soon for the Messages app.

Following last month’s announcement, new insights from an APK teardown (via Android Authority) of the latest Google Messages Beta reveal how the upcoming Sensitive Content Warnings feature will work to protect users from unwanted nudity. It will be available on devices running Android 9 and newer, including Android Go devices.

When a photo that might contain sensitive content is sent, it will automatically be blurred. Users will have the option to either view the image or ignore it. Both the sender and the receiver will see warnings about the sensitive content.

These warnings will include reminders  and advice like, “The person in this photo may not have agreed to share it with others,” and notifications stating, “You’re seeing this because sensitive content warnings are on.”

Notably, this feature will work on users’ devices without affecting the end-to-end encryption used in RCS chats. For users under 18, the feature will be available as an optional opt-out through Android Settings.

The latest Google Messages beta shows that this new feature is being actively developed and is expected to be rolled out in the coming months.