Google’s new “sensitive content warnings” setting is now rolling out to all Google Messages users. As reported by 9to5Google, sensitive content warnings can identify images containing nudity, and blur the picture before you open it. That puts the decision whether to see the image entirely in your hands, eliminating the risk of unsolicited nudes.
When you open an image the Google’s systems blurred, you have a few options. You can open a Google resource page to learn why Google is blurring images like this; block the number of the contact that sent you the image; leave the message; or deal with the image. If you choose this last option, you’ll hit “Next,” then either “No, don’t view” or “Yes, view.”
The feature also warns you if you try to send an image containing nudity. According to the Sensitive content warnings settings page, if you try to send someone an image with nudity, Google Messages will warn you “of the risks.” You’ll need to manually confirm in order to actually send the image.
Sensitive content warnings is entirely private, at least according to Google. Now, I wouldn’t blame you for being curious about how this feature works. Sure, its intentions are noble, but one might assume images need to be sent offsite in order to verify whether they contain nudity. If so, this feature would pose a huge privacy violation. But Google says all photo detection happens locally on your device. Neither the image nor any part of your conversation is reviewed by Google or sent to the cloud for processing: Your phone or tablet is able to run the processes necessary to determine whether an image contains nudity.
The thing is, it won’t be enabled by default if you are 18 or older. In order to use it, you’ll need to toggle the setting on yourself. You’ll find the option by opening Google Messages Settings, then Protection & Safety > Manage sensitive content warnings. Here, tap the toggle next to “Warnings in Google Messages.”
