Latest news with #Messages
Android Authority
15 hours ago
- Android Authority
Google Messages may extend its nudity-scanning photo filter to also work on video (APK teardown)
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Last year Google announced Sensitive Content Warnings for Messages. The opt-in system runs on-device and can detect nudity in still images. Google now appears to be working to extend this system to also work on video content. Modern communication truly is a double-edged sword, and for as easy as it makes it for us to keep in contact with our loved ones, privately sharing all the important details of our lives, these systems can make it just as easy for someone we don't want to hear from to reach out with some particularly disturbing content. It's for reasons like this that last year Google announced Sensitive Content Warnings for Messages, an on-device tool for scanning media and alerting you in advance of any potential nudity. After seeing that start to go live this spring, we're now checking out what could be the next evolution it's getting ready to take. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. 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. Sensitive Content Warnings are designed to help limit the unwanted proliferation of nude images, but with RCS now in wide deployment, users can send each other a lot more than just still pics. As we look into Google's new build of Messages, we've uncovered some evidence that has us thinking about how this system could extend to also apply to video: Code Copy Text video Video may contain nudity As you may remember from a teardown we did while first waiting for the option to go live, 'Spatula' is Google's codename for Sensitive Content Warnings, and the value of that second string here makes perfectly clear that we're still looking for the same thing. AssembleDebug / Android Authority Right now, this is all we have to go on, and we haven't yet been able to actually get Messages to process video through SafetyCore to scan for nudity. That said, this pretty transparently feels like it's headed in that direction, and we'd suspect that it's only a matter of time before we have something along that line to share with you. After all, Sensitive Content Warnings for photos are a good start, but there's a lot more media out there that could be full of unwanted nudity. Hopefully we'll soon have the tools to stay on top of all of it. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
Apple sues leaker Jon Prosser for allegedly stealing iOS 26 info from an employee
Apple is suing leaker Jon Prosser and a codefendant for misappropriation of trade secrets related to YouTube videos from earlier this year that depicted mockups of iOS 26 (which was, at the time, expected to be called iOS 19 ). In the suit, which Apple filed at a district court in the Northern District of California, the company claims Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti "conspired to break into an Apple employee's development iPhone to take Apple's trade secrets." Per the filing , which was obtained by MacRumors , Prosser had promised to "find out a way for [Ramacciotti] to get payment" if his codefendant was able to access the development iPhone of his friend Ethan Lipnik, who worked on software designs at Apple. Apple claims Ramacciotti was staying with Lipnik and waited until he left for an extended period of time, using a location-tracking tool to make sure of that. Ramacciotti is said to have gained access to the iPhone and made a FaceTime call to Prosser to show features and designs from iOS 26. Prosser allegedly used a screen capturing tool to record the video call and then shared the footage with others in order to create mockups he used in his videos (Prosser has said that Apple uses identifiers in in-development versions of its software to help it pinpoint leakers, and recreating the renders is intended to protect them). One of those people who saw the footage is said to have recognized Lipnik's apartment and to have informed him of that. In January, Prosser published a video on his Front Page Tech YouTube channel depicting a render of an iOS 26 Camera app redesign that looked relatively close to the real deal. He later showed off mockups of the redesigned Messages app and the Liquid Glass design language Apple is switching to this year . Apple terminated Lipnik's employment for failing to protect confidential information. Per the suit, Lipnik said that Ramacciotti "often spent time at his home, sometimes staying for the weekend, and observing his patterns and security protocols for his devices." Apple says it discovered the alleged trade secret theft from an anonymous tip and that it also has a voice note that Ramacciotti sent to Lipnik to apologize and claim that Prosser was behind the scheme. The company claims the development iPhone in question hosted a "significant amount of additional Apple trade secret information that has not yet been publicly disclosed. It added that it does not know how much of this information Prosser and Ramacciotti obtained. Apple is seeking an injunction directing Prosser and Ramacciotti "not to make use of or disclose Apple's confidential, proprietary and trade secret information to third parties without its written consent" and to destroy any such material they possess. The company is also seeking damages and is requesting a jury trial. Prosser responded to the lawsuit on X, claiming that "This is not how things went down on my end. Looking forward to being able to speak to Apple about it." Prosser followed up by saying, "For the record: I certainly did not 'plot' to access anyone's phone and was unaware of the situation playing out." If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Is Google's AI secretly reading your private texts? Here's what's really happening—and how to stop it before it's too late
Google's AI now reads your messages—what's really going on, and how can you stop it?- Google's Gemini AI has officially begun scanning third-party apps like WhatsApp and Messages on Android devices—and that's raising serious privacy concerns; as per recent Forbes report. Starting July 7, Google quietly enabled Gemini to access your apps to help with daily tasks like sending messages, making calls, or setting timers. But here's the twist: while Google claims it won't use your message data for AI training, the lines between assistance and surveillance have started to blur. Many users didn't explicitly agree to this level of access—and they may not even realize it's happening. What's really going on with Google and Microsoft AI reading texts? A growing number of users are raising red flags about AI privacy concerns with Google and Microsoft , especially after reports revealed that their AI systems may be quietly analyzing private messages. While these tech giants claim it's to improve user experience with smarter replies and personalized suggestions, critics argue it's a massive overstep. The unsettling truth is that if you're using default settings in apps like Google Messages or Microsoft Teams, your texts could be scanned by AI without your full awareness. This silent data processing raises major ethical and security questions—and it's crucial that users understand how to take back control. Google (and Microsoft) have begun integrating AI into messaging platforms, and these systems are reportedly capable of scanning your private texts. This goes beyond simple message summarization—they're actively reading and processing your conversations. The intent behind this is to enhance user experience—like generating contextual replies, proactive suggestions, etc.—but the methods raise serious privacy concerns . What is Google Gemini doing inside your messaging apps? On July 7, 2025, Google rolled out an update allowing Gemini AI to access third-party apps on Android phones. This includes WhatsApp, Messages, and other popular chat apps, even if you didn't directly invite Gemini to do so. The company claims this helps users 'complete daily tasks,' such as reading messages aloud, replying to them, or initiating calls—but only when prompted. However, according to Neowin and Ars Technica, there's a gray area. While Gemini isn't actively training on your private messages, it can still read your notifications, see your images, and interact with message content via Google Assistant or the Utilities app—even if you didn't enable it knowingly. This raises big questions: If AI can 'assist' by reading your messages, how private are those messages anymore? Live Events Can Google Gemini access your WhatsApp chats? Technically, yes—but only through indirect paths. Google claims Gemini isn't designed to directly open and scan your WhatsApp conversations. But the integration with Google Assistant changes the story. Let's say you ask Assistant to read a WhatsApp message or reply to it—that's when Gemini gets access. At that point, the AI engine can read, interpret, and even summarize message content, including media. This level of access doesn't require a deep hack—it's already baked into the OS. According to Kaspersky's Marc Rivero, this setup "raises serious privacy red flags." Why? Because users aren't giving clear, informed consent . 'Private messaging apps are among the most sensitive digital spaces,' he said. 'Automatic access by AI without explicit permission undermines trust.' Is there a way to disable Gemini from reading your messages? Unfortunately, there's no single kill switch to shut down Gemini's message-reading capabilities. Google hasn't made it easy to opt out completely. Instead, users need to manually disable Gemini's access app-by-app. This involves digging into Settings, locating Gemini App Activity, and turning off permissions for each app it might access. Even then, there's no clear confirmation that your messages won't be touched via notifications or other indirect pathways. The system relies on user proactivity, not automatic privacy protections. As Ars Technica put it bluntly: 'A significant number of users don't want Gemini or other AI engines anywhere near their devices. For now, those users are being left in the dark.' How does this compare to Microsoft's controversial Recall feature? Google's move follows a controversial rollout by Microsoft earlier this year. Windows 11's Recall feature introduced an AI memory tool that captures snapshots of everything done on your PC—including open text messages—and stores them locally for AI use. Only Signal managed to block it. While Google hasn't gone that far, critics say Gemini's access to messaging apps is a similar breach of user expectations. Even if it's not being used to train AI models right now, the possibility of human review or long-term storage of private content is concerning. What should you do right now to protect your privacy? If you're an Android user, take these steps immediately: Open your phone Settings Go to Apps > Gemini > Permissions Disable access to apps like WhatsApp, Messages, and others Go to Google Assistant > Settings > Notifications and limit what it can see Check Gemini App Activity and turn it off if you don't use the AI assistant Also remember—your messages might not just involve you. If Gemini is scanning chats, it might be capturing content from others in your conversations, too, without their knowledge or consent. Why this matters more than ever? The conversation around AI privacy is no longer hypothetical. These updates prove that tech companies are embedding AI deeper into our personal lives, often with minimal disclosure. While these tools may offer convenience, they also bring new risks—especially in areas like messaging, which users assume are off-limits. As Gemini and other AI tools evolve, it's crucial to ask hard questions: Who controls the data AI sees? Are users truly opting in, or just being quietly enrolled? What transparency exists for users to audit this behavior? Until answers become clearer, the best defense is awareness. Know your settings, limit permissions, and share this information—because privacy isn't just personal anymore. FAQs: Q1: How do I stop Google Gemini AI from reading my WhatsApp messages? You can stop it by disabling Gemini's app access in your Android settings manually. Q2: Is Google Gemini AI using my messages for AI training? No, Google says Gemini does not use your messages for training, but it still reads them for tasks. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Jordan News
10-07-2025
- Jordan News
Does Google's Gemini Read Your WhatsApp Messages? Here's How to Stop It - Jordan News
Google has rolled out a new update to its Gemini app for Android users starting July 7. A recent email from the company has raised questions and concerns—here's everything you need to know about this upcoming change. اضافة اعلان Last week, many Android users were surprised when they received an email from Google informing them that, as of July 7, Gemini would become more integrated with core phone apps like Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and system tools—even if users had previously disabled "Gemini apps activity." In the statement, Google said: "Gemini will soon be able to help you with phone, messages, WhatsApp, and tools on your device." But the vague wording in the email left many users confused. On its website, Google explains: 'Gemini apps give you direct access to Google's AI,' 'Your conversations are saved in your account for up to 72 hours, whether Gemini apps activity is on or off.' In other words, Google may still retain some of your data—including sensitive information from WhatsApp chats—for a short period even if you choose to disable Gemini activity tracking. These updates are intended to make Gemini more helpful, such as reading your WhatsApp messages and replying on your behalf, but they've raised privacy concerns among users who feel the integration may be too intrusive. How to Control Gemini App Activity If you're uncomfortable with Gemini accessing your app data, follow these steps: Open the Gemini app on your Android phone Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner Select 'Gemini apps activity' A new page will open where you can disable the feature using a toggle switch Even if you turn the feature off, Google will still retain your data for up to 72 hours 'to ensure the safety and security of Gemini apps.' If you want to restrict Gemini's access to specific apps: Tap your profile picture again in the Gemini app Choose 'Apps' Select from the list which apps Gemini is allowed to access Alternatively, you can uninstall the Gemini app entirely from your phone to stop any tracking or interaction. As Gemini evolves, Google is attempting to strike a balance between enhancing AI integration and respecting user privacy. For now, users retain some level of control—but whether it's enough remains a subject of heated debate.
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Major New iPhone Update Means Calls And iMessage Will Never Be The Same Again
When Apple releases iOS 26 for the iPhone this fall, it will introduce a major change to how calls and texts will work — but only for those in the EU. The change means that instead of being restricted to using the Phone app for calls and Messages for texting, for the first time ever, users can choose third-party apps instead. While it's only for the EU for now, you can be sure governments around the world, including the U.S., will be watching closely to decide if they should implement something similar. The new software, which is currently in developer beta, comes as a response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, designed to promote competition and open digital markets. Apple has introduced APIs so that developers can implement support for cellular phone calls and messaging. It means that iPhone users in the EU will be able to select a suitable third-party app as the default for calls and messages. While some apps already have capabilities to make calls and send messages, this update will be transformational. For example, WhatsApp —which is much more popular in the EU than the U.S. — could be chosen as the default for both, assuming it implements the APIs. If it does, WhatsApp is likely to be by far the biggest winner for this change. It will mean that if you click on a phone number in an email, say, the iPhone will automatically dial the call in your chosen app. Similarly, when you start a text message, that third-party app will handle it, not Messages. As MacRumors points out, 'Apple says iPhone users in the EU will only be able to make carrier-based phone calls and/or send and receive carrier-based SMS/MMS/RCS messages in a supported third-party app when they have selected the app as their default dialing app and/or default carrier messaging app. Otherwise, the functionality is not enabled,' it says. In other words, the app needs to be able to handle calls through the carrier networks, not just through wi-fi.
