Google Messages deploys Sensitive Content Warnings to block unwanted nudes

On April 22, 2025, Google announced that it has begun rolling out a new safety tool for its messaging service, Google Messages, designed to protect users from unsolicited explicit images. The feature, named Sensitive Content Warnings, employs artificial intelligence for basic image classification to identify possible nudity in images shared through the app. When an image containing potential nudity is detected, the system applies a blur filter and prompts the recipient with a brief warning, referred to as a 'speed bump', that allows them to decide whether to view the image or not. The rollout of this feature follows a promise made by Google in the previous year to enhance user safety by tackling unwanted explicit content in messages. The functionality is aimed at various user demographics, with adults' phones having the feature disabled by default, while for teenagers on unsupervised devices, it is turned on but can be disabled in the Messages settings. In contrast, for supervised phones used by children, the feature remains enabled and cannot be turned off. This policy aims to create a safer messaging environment for younger users, emphasizing responsible usage amid the rising concerns around digital content sharing. However, there has been some frustration among Android users regarding the deployment of the necessary components for Sensitive Content Warnings. Some users initially expressed concern when 'Android System SafetyCore' appeared on their devices, which is the underlying component responsible for image classification and content warnings. Despite being removable, it occupies minimal storage space and is inactive unless users enable the Sensitive Content Warnings. Importantly, for users eager to access the new feature sooner, there is an option to join the Messages beta program available in the Google Play Store, potentially accelerating access to this innovative safety tool. The introduction of Sensitive Content Warnings in Google Messages reflects a broader trend towards increasing online safety, similar to features provided by other tech companies, including Apple's own Sensitive Content Warning. Given that nearly all modern Android phones meet the RAM requirement of at least 2GB to use this functionality, the rollout is expected to reach a large segment of users worldwide. This feature will only become visible in the Google Messages app, urging users who may rely on alternative messaging platforms to switch to Google Messages to benefit from enhanced safety measures against unwanted explicit content.