Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google announced a Sensitive Content Warnings feature last month to give users more control over seeing and sending images that may contain nudity.
- A new APK teardown has provided a glimpse at how this feature will work.
- It appears senders and receivers will get multiple types of warnings about the questionable content.
As we reported back in late October, Google Messages is set to receive several new features. These features aim to make your messaging experience safer. One of the tools that was announced is Sensitive Content Warnings. We learned a little bit about the feature last month, but our latest APK teardown provides a clearer picture of what to expect.
An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release.
As Google explained previously, Sensitive Content Warnings give the user more control over seeing and sending images that may contain nudity. It will automatically blur images that may contain nudity so you aren’t blindsided by a potentially unexpected and unwanted nude photo. You’ll have the option to view or ignore the image, but not before running into “speed bumps” that contain “help-finding resources and options.” We also know that the feature runs on device, doesn’t break end-to-end encryption in RCS chats, and will be an optional opt-out feature through Android Settings for users who are under 18.
In the latest Google Messages beta (version messages.android_20241029_00_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic), a bevy of new lines of code have been added and shed some light on the feature. You can view the code we found below.
Code
Take care when sharing images that may contain nudity
The person in this photo may not have agreed to share it with others
Once you share this, others can save or share it without you knowing
If you feel pressured, consider talking to or %1$s someone you trust
Keep in mind
You're seeing this because sensitive content warnings are on. Learn more in %1$s
Block this number
Learn about image sharing and safety
Things to know
No, don't view
No one will be notified of your decision, but make sure you feel safe before you continue
Yes, view
View image anyway?
Take a moment to decide if you want to see this
You can ignore or delete the image if you don't want to see it
Your device blurred this image because sensitive content warnings are on. Learn more in %1$s
No, don't send
Yes, send
Send image anyway?
Stay safe when sending sensitive images
Once you send this, you can't control who else sees it. Others can save or share it without you knowing
You can block the person you're texting if you want to stop chatting with them
Hey, do you have time to chat about something important?
Image may contain nudity Judging by the code, it looks like not only receivers but also senders of sensitive content will see warnings. Those warnings also include reminders and advice such as “The person in this photo may not have agreed to share it with others” and “You’re seeing this because sensitive content warnings are on.” Senders and receivers will be able to choose whether they want to see/send the image or not. Additionally, you can also choose to block the number or ignore/delete the image.
This feature is expected to roll out in the coming months. It will be available to devices running Android 9 or newer, including Android Go devices.
