Subj : Google Messages update finally adds an important safety tool and To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Apr 22 2025 21:45:08 Google Messages update finally adds an important safety tool and teases a feature I'm surprised the app doesn't have already Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2025 20:30:00 +0000 Description: Google Messages beta finally adds Sensitive Content Warnings for some. FULL STORY ======================================================================Google Messages beta finally adds Sensitive Content Warnings for some Live Location was also teased by in-app code There's no word on when the features will roll out to everyone Google Messages looks set to receive a couple of new tools to make the service more useful and safer to use. And were excited to try out both once theyve rolled out. The first is that Google appears set to add live location sharing to its app. Thats according to Android Authority s recent APK teardown. You can currently share your location with another person through Google Maps, but it sends the information as a static Google Maps pin. If you move, youll need to send your location again, which can make meeting up while youre out and about a challenge. Is live location sharing incoming? (Image credit: Google) That looks set to change however, as in the latest beta code a single string referencing live_location_sharing_shortcut was discovered. For now the feature isnt live, but the string suggests that Google is probably experimenting with live location sharing behind the scenes and could be preparing to release the feature in a future beta. As always, theres a chance Google will never release live location sharing, but heres hoping it does and sooner rather than later, given how helpful it can be. Sensitive Content Warnings incoming The other update is one that was announced back in February but finally seems to be live for a few via the latest Messages beta: new Sensitive Content Warnings (via 9to5Google ). Theyll appear if a Google Messages user sends or receives nude images (if they have the setting switched on), though for adults, its switched off by default. Meanwhile, accounts owned by people under 18 will have the feature switched on by default. Supervised accounts cant turn the warnings off themselves (though parents can control the setting through the Family Link app), while Unsupervised teens (users aged 13 to 17) can turn the warnings off in their Google Account settings if they choose. To change your settings, youll want to open Google Messages on your Android device, tap on your profile picture, then tap on Messages settings. Scroll down to find Protection and safety, then Manage sensitive content warnings to then be able to toggle Warnings in Google Messages on or off. (Image credit: Shutterstock / Tada Images ) Google says these warnings are handled by on-device AI (so the feature doesnt send identifiable data or any of the classified content or results to Google servers). If the Android System SafetyCore behind the feature thinks the image might contain nudity, a few things happen. First, if the sender has the feature on, theyll be warned about the risks of sending nude images before being asked to confirm if they do indeed wish to send it. Similar warnings and confirmations will appear if youre trying to share a nude image with another person. The receiver will then (if they have content warnings on) see a blurred image, be warned about how nude images can be harmful, have the option to delete the image before seeing it, the chance to block the number which sent the image, and the option to view the image if they choose. With the feature finally starting to appear, it shouldnt be long before more of us can rely on these AI-powered content warnings to help us stay safer online. You might also like Google search engine monopoly could expand using AI, DOJ warns There's no need to wait for Google's Android XR smart glasses here are two amazing AR glasses Ive tested that you can try now 5 things the Google Pixel 10 needs to do to beat the Apple iPhone 17 in 2025 ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/google-messages-update-finally-adds-a n-important-safety-tool-and-teases-a-feature-im-surprised-the-app-doesnt-have- already --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .