Recently, a new application named “SafetyCore” has made its debut on many Android devices, prompting curiosity and concern among users. This app began its rollout in November 2024 as part of the monthly “Google System Updates,” appearing alongside the “Android System Key Verifier.” While some users have only just received it, the presence of an unfamiliar app can understandably raise questions.
Google’s description of “SafetyCore” is succinct yet vague, stating:
Android System SafetyCore is a system service that provides safety features for Android devices.
So, what exactly does this app do? In essence, “SafetyCore” is designed to support new protective features that will soon be integrated into Google Messages for Android. These enhancements, first announced in October 2024, aim to bolster user security by detecting scam messages, including prevalent package delivery and job scams. Additionally, the app will facilitate the blurring of images that may contain nudity, a function tied to the “Sensitive Content Warnings” feature. Notably, “SafetyCore” processes these messages directly on the device while preserving end-to-end encryption.
Google elaborates on the “Sensitive Content Warnings” feature:
Sensitive Content Warnings is an optional feature that blurs images that may contain nudity before viewing, and then prompts with a “speed bump” that contains help-finding resources and options, including to view the content. When the feature is enabled, and an image that may contain nudity is about to be sent or forwarded, it also provides a speed bump to remind users of the risks of sending nude imagery and preventing accidental shares.
While these features are optional, Google is proactively installing both “SafetyCore” and the “Android System Key Verifier” as part of its Android suite through Play Services.
The “Android System Key Verifier” app introduces a new “contact verifying feature” aimed at preventing scams where individuals impersonate contacts. This feature will enable users to verify their contacts’ public keys, ensuring they are communicating with the intended person. It employs a unified system for public key verification across various applications, utilizing QR codes for this purpose. However, this feature is not expected to launch until sometime in 2025.
Despite the confusion surrounding the installation of these two applications, users can rest assured that their presence is a positive development. Both apps originate from Google and are fundamentally geared towards enhancing user safety and security.
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