Google's new Android features will safeguard you against a broader array of scams.

      In recent years, Google has introduced a series of safeguards for calls, messages, and web browsing that increasingly utilize AI to shield smartphone users from scams. Ahead of the I/O 2025 developers conference, Google has outlined the upcoming safety features set to be added to Android devices this year.

      Malicious actors frequently deceive users into disabling built-in protections like Google Play Protect, install malware apps, or grant permissions that can lead to data theft. According to Google, the new safety features in Android will focus on countering these threats.

      Alerts for screen sharing during banking scams

      Google / Digital Trends

      The first feature is screen-sharing alerts. Online fraudsters often pose as bank or government officials. Personally, I’ve encountered a few close calls over the past couple of years. As part of their schemes, they request users to share their screens to execute scams, such as transferring money or installing harmful software on their devices.

      To mitigate such situations, Google is testing a new in-call protection feature in collaboration with banking institutions. If you are using a banking app during a call with an unknown number, your device will alert you to the potential risk and offer an option to end the call and disable screen sharing at once.

      Google / Digital Trends

      This feature will be available on devices running Android 11 or later, starting in the UK. Google is also broadening the scam detection capabilities in the Messages app. Previously focused on job and package delivery scams, it will now identify a wider range of scams in real-time.

      Moving forward, the AI-driven system will monitor for fraudulent toll messages, crypto-related texts, financial impersonation schemes, gift card and free prize notifications, and tech support scams as well. Additionally, Google will expand its protection against tech support fraud to the Chrome browser.

      Contact verification to prevent identity fraud

      Google / Digital Trends

      Identity and impersonation fraud are prevalent issues nowadays. I frequently see reports of individuals losing significant amounts of money to fraudsters pretending to be acquaintances or family members. To address impersonation, Google is introducing a system called Key Verifier.

      Within the Google Contacts app, users can request their friends and family to verify their contact information through a QR code scan, secured by encryption. Upon completing the scan, the verified contact will display a green lock icon.

      Google / Digital Trends

      How does this benefit users? For instance, if your friend’s phone is lost and a scammer attempts to message you using the SIM in another device, the sender will show up as unverified, signaling that something is amiss. Key Verifier will be rolled out to all phones running Android 10 or later in the coming weeks.