Some Android users are starting to see blurred images on their devices while using Google Messages. It’s part of a Sensitive Content Warning system announced last year that is now rolling out on Android devices that obscures images containing suspected nudity.
In a Help Center post, Google explains that when the feature is turned on, these warnings can detect and blur images with nudity and generate a warning when one is being received, sent or forwarded. “All detection and blurring of nude images happens on the device. This feature doesn’t send detected nude images to Google,” the company says in its post. Resources on how to deal with nude images are also offered with these warnings.
It’s possible, Google said, that images not containing nudity may be accidentally flagged.
For adults, the feature is not enabled by default. For teens aged 13-17, it can be disabled in Google Account settings. For those on supervised accounts, it can’t be disabled, but the settings can be adjusted by parents with in the Google Family Link app.
How to enable or disable the feature
For adults who do want to get a heads up on nude photos, or those seeking to disable it, the toggle switch is under Google Messages Settings / Protection & Safety / Manage sensitive content warnings / Warnings in Google Messages.
The nude content feature is part of SafetyCore on Android 9 plus devices that also includes features Google has been working on to protect against scams via texts and dangerous links and to verify contacts.
