Google rolls out Enhanced Protection for Messages to combat scams

Google is rolling out an Enhanced Protection mode for Google Messages on Android, designed to defend users against sophisticated scams and phishing attempts. Unlike standard protection, which focuses on blocking known spam and harmful links, the new mode utilizes cloud-based Gemini models to analyze the context of conversations with unknown senders. This allows the system to identify deceptive patterns and intent, even when scammers avoid obvious red flags.

To address privacy concerns, Google employs Private AI Compute technology, which encrypts message data and processes it in an isolated environment inaccessible to the company. Additionally, the feature uses the on-device Gemini Nano model to evaluate unfamiliar links against real-time web information to detect dangerous websites.

Enhanced Protection is an opt-in feature found under the Protection & safety settings. While available to many, advanced link protection is currently targeted at select high-end devices, including the Pixel 10 series and Samsung Galaxy S26 and foldable series. The update also includes redesigned warnings to provide users with more context before they interact with links from unknown numbers.