Google to blur photos if it spots nudity – and it’s being switched on for millions of phone owners by default
GOOGLE is rolling out a new messaging tool to detect unwanted nude photos and block them from view.
The tech giant first revealed the enhanced safety feature last year but it’s finally started to appear on phones this month.
It will work within the Google Messages app on selected Android smartphones.
When active, the so-called “Sensitive Content Warnings” will detect and blur images suspected of showing nudity.
A “speed bump” notification will appear, giving you the option to reveal the image.
There will also be links to information on help-finding resources.
Meanwhile, those sending or forwarding suspected nudes will be reminded about the risks – as well as a warning about accidental shares.
The feature is on by default for accounts belonging to those under 18.
But for everyone else you’ll need to switch it on manually.
The technology cleverly does all the detection work on-device, so none of your sensitive data is sent off to some Google server.
“Sensitive Content Warnings doesn’t allow Google access to the contents of your images, nor does Google know that nudity may have been detected,” the firm explains.
But Google warns that the tool “isn’t perfect”.
“It may occasionally detect images that don’t contain nudity or not detect images that contain nudity,” a help page reads.
The system is rolling out to Android smartphones running on version 9 or later.
How to turn on Sensitive Content warnings
To turn on Sensitive Content Warnings, you’ll need to be signed into your Google Account from Google Messages.
- Open the Google Messages app
- Tap your profile picture in the top right or look for Initial > Message settings
- Go to Protection & safety
- Tap Manage sensitive content warnings
- Turn on Warnings in Google Messages