Google Announces New Anti-Scam Features for Android Users
Google announced new anti-scam features in October 2026 to protect Android users from online fraud. The measures include safeguards against suspicious messages, fraudulent links, call forwarding scams and calls impersonating banks.
The company is strengthening Android's security systems to address online fraud and calling scams. The new measures include an Enhanced Protection mode in Google Messages, improved checks for suspicious links, and systems to identify fraudulent bank calls. Google is also working to protect sensitive information during screen sharing and prevent unauthorised call forwarding.
Google plans to introduce an Enhanced Protection mode in Google Messages to help Android users identify online scams. The feature will analyse suspicious messages and conversation patterns to help detect potential fraud. Gemini AI models will be used to identify possible scams and alert users in time.
The feature will be opt-in, allowing users to activate it according to their preferences. If the system detects signs of fraud in a conversation, it will alert the user. Users can then choose whether to continue the conversation or report the message and block the number.
Google Messages already warns users about phishing websites and dangerous links. The company is now improving its ability to check new and unfamiliar links that are not already included on a blocklist. Real-time web signals will help assess the potential risks associated with links, giving users an opportunity to exercise caution before opening suspicious websites or inadvertently downloading malware.
Google is also improving Android's security measures to address fraud involving screen sharing and call forwarding. Scammers sometimes persuade users to share their screens to gain access to banking details, private messages and other sensitive information.
Android already hides certain sensitive information during screen sharing in some situations. Google plans to extend similar protections to Chrome and Android WebView to help safeguard sensitive information used on these platforms.
The company is also introducing new alerts related to call forwarding. Scammers sometimes instruct users to enter MMI codes through their phone's dial pad. Certain codes can be used to change settings for services such as call forwarding.
Under the proposed system, users will receive a clear warning before such settings are applied. The measure is intended to prevent users from unknowingly forwarding calls to another number. Google is working with Android device manufacturers to extend security features beyond the Messages app.
Google is working with banks to address caller ID spoofing, a technique in which scammers make their phone numbers appear to belong to a bank or an official institution. This can make it difficult for users to distinguish genuine calls from fraudulent ones.
Under Google's proposed system, Android will help check incoming bank calls in real time to determine whether a call has actually originated from the relevant bank. The company is expanding its collaboration with banks to make the feature available in more countries.
To protect privacy, Google will use on-device Gemini Nano models for these features. Cloud-based processing through Private AI Compute may also be used when necessary. The company says the system is designed to maintain the confidentiality of processed information.
The availability of the new features will depend on the device, region and rollout. Android users should therefore monitor their phone's security updates and Google Messages settings.
