Technology

Google's AI unleashes powerful scam-busting features for Android

Published

10 months ago

May 3, 2025

Google's AI unleashes powerful scam-busting features for Android

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging advanced tools like generative AI to con unsuspecting victims.

According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, mobile consumers worldwide lose over $1 trillion annually to scams. To combat this growing threat, Google is rolling out cutting-edge AI-powered scam detection features for Android users.

However, while Google’s efforts are impressive, there are additional steps you can take to protect yourself from scams. Let’s dive into Google’s new features and explore how you can further safeguard your personal information.

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A man scrolling on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Google’s new AI-powered scam detection features

Google has introduced two innovative AI-powered scam detection features to protect Android users from increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

Scam Detection in Google Messages

The first feature, Scam Detection in Google Messages, enhances the existing Spam Protection functionality. This new tool utilizes on-device AI to identify suspicious patterns in SMS, MMS and RCS messages. When a message appears suspicious, users receive a real-time warning with options to dismiss, report or block the sender.

To ensure privacy, all message processing occurs directly on the user’s device, keeping conversations confidential. The feature is enabled by default for non-contacts and can be verified or disabled via Google Messages → Settings → Spam Protection. It is currently available in English for users in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, with plans to expand to more countries soon.

Scam detection in Google Messages (Google)

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Scam Detection for phone calls

The second feature addresses the growing issue of phone scams, with over half of Americans reporting daily scam calls in 2024. Google’s Scam Detection for calls employs on-device AI models to analyze calls in real time. If a call is identified as a potential scam, users receive audio and visual warnings alerting them to the risk.

Activation requirements:

Pixel 9+ devices (U.S. English) leverage Gemini Nano for advanced detection
Pixel 6+ models use smaller on-device AI (beta availability may vary)
Manual enablement required via Phone app → Settings → Scam Detection

This feature prioritizes user privacy by processing call audio ephemerally without storing or sharing any data. Pixel Watch integration allows Wear OS users to enable call alerts through the Phone app after updating both devices. At present, Scam Detection for calls is available to Pixel 9+ users in the United States, with plans for broader expansion in the future.

Both of these AI-powered features are a big win for your mobile security, providing you with advanced protection against evolving scam tactics while keeping your privacy safe.

Scam Detection for phone calls (Google)

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How you can stay ahead of scammers

While Google’s innovations provide robust protection, scammers are relentless in finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Here are some additional steps you can take.

1. Have strong antivirus software: Google Play Protect, which is built-in malware protection for Android devices, automatically removes known malware. However, it is important to note that Google Play Protect may not be enough. Historically, it isn’t 100% foolproof at removing all emerging malware from Android devices. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks of the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just a password. 2FA makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access to your accounts, even if they obtain your password.

3. Regularly update your software and devices: Keeping your systems up to date ensures you have the latest security patches and protections against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

4. Use strong and unique passwords: Use long, complex passphrases that are unique for each account. Consider using a password manager to help create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 here.

5. Be cautious about sharing information: Avoid sharing sensitive details like financial information or passwords over text or phone calls unless you’re absolutely certain of the recipient’s identity. Be cautious of phishing attempts and verify the legitimacy of requests for personal information.

6. Invest in personal data removal services: Use a personal data removal service to remove your personal information from people-search websites, making it harder for scammers to find and target you. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Scammers are constantly changing their tactics, but so is technology designed to protect us. Google’s AI-powered scam detection features are a significant step forward in safeguarding Android users from fraud. However, staying safe requires a combination of tools and personal vigilance. By using strong antivirus software, removing yourself from people-search sites and being cautious with your personal information, you can stay one step ahead of scammers.

Do you think Google and other tech companies are doing enough to prevent scammers from attacking your Android? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

One of Grammarly’s ‘experts’ is suing the company over its identity-stealing AI feature

Published

9 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

One of Grammarly’s ‘experts’ is suing the company over its identity-stealing AI feature

For months, Grammarly has been using the identities of real people (including us) for its “Expert Review” AI suggestions without getting their permission, and now it’s facing a lawsuit from one of the journalists included, as previously reported by Wired. The class-action complaint filed by journalist Julia Angwin on Wednesday alleges that Superhuman violated the “experts’” privacy and publicity rights by breaking laws against using someone’s identity for commercial purposes without their consent.

Angwin says she found out her identity was used by way of Casey Newton, who is also one of the experts that The Verge uncovered being used by Grammarly when we tested the feature this week. Several current Verge staff members popped up attached to Grammarly’s AI-generated suggestions, too, including editor-in-chief Nilay Patel.

CEO Shishir Mehrotra says that “the agent was designed to help users discover influential perspectives and scholarship relevant to their work, while also providing meaningful ways for experts to build deeper relationships with their fans. We hear the feedback and recognize we fell short on this. I want to apologize and acknowledge that we’ll rethink our approach going forward.”

Technology

Transfer photos from your phone to a hard drive

Published

10 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

Transfer photos from your phone to a hard drive

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If you own a smartphone, this moment eventually arrives. A warning pops up saying your storage is almost full. Photos stop syncing. Apps slow down. Suddenly, you are deleting emails, clearing messages and searching for anything that will free up space.

Many people hit this problem because their photos automatically back up to services like Google Photos or iCloud. Those services include a limited amount of free storage. Once it fills up, the solution is usually the same. Pay for more space.

Janice from Alabama recently wrote to us about this exact situation.

YOUR IPHONE HAS A HIDDEN FOLDER EATING UP STORAGE SPACE WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING

“My Google storage of 15 GB is almost used up, according to Google. I need to get my photos off my phone. How can I do this and keep access to them? I don’t want to delete them. I continually empty trash, delete emails, etc. I understand that this is a common problem with Google users on Android phones. Their answer is to purchase more storage space. I don’t appreciate being held hostage by Google. Any suggestions?”
— Janice in Sylacauga, Alabama

Janice is far from alone. Millions of smartphone users face the same choice every year. Either pay monthly for more storage or move their photos somewhere else. The good news is that you can store your photos on a hard drive you own, keep access to them anytime and avoid ongoing subscription fees. Let’s walk through the easiest ways to do it.

Smartphone users can free up storage by transferring photos to a computer and external hard drive instead of paying for more cloud space. (Yusuf Coskun via Getty Images)

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Method 1: Transfer photos from your phone to a computer

The simplest approach is to first copy your photos to a computer. After that, you can move them to an external hard drive.

For iPhones

Apple devices use a slightly different process. Instead of opening the phone like a storage device, you import photos through the Photos app on your computer.

On a Mac

Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable (Lightning or USB-C, depending on your iPhone model)
Unlock your iPhone if it is locked
If prompted, tap Trust This Computer on your iPhone
Open the Photos app on your Mac
Select your iPhone under Devices in the sidebar
Choose the photos or videos you want to transfer
Click Import Selected or Import All New Items

The photos will download to your Mac’s photo library.

Another option: Use iCloud Photos

If you are signed into iCloud and iCloud Photos is enabled on your iPhone, your photos may already be syncing automatically. In that case, you can simply open Photos on your Mac or visit iCloud Photos in a browser on your desktop to access and download them without connecting your phone.

HOW TO HIDE PHOTOS ON YOUR IPHONE AND ANDROID FROM SNOOPS

With a USB cable and a hard drive, users can protect thousands of photos while reclaiming valuable phone storage. (Jun via Getty Images)

For Android phones

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable
On your phone, choose File Transfer when prompted
Open File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac
Locate your phone under connected devices
Open the DCIM or Pictures folder
Copy the photos you want to save

Once copied, paste the files into a folder on your computer. This step gives you a full backup before moving them to a drive.

On Windows

Connect your iPhone with a USB cable
Unlock your phone and tap Trust This Computer
Open the Photos app on Windows
Choose Import from a USB device

Windows will copy your photos directly to your computer.

Method 2: Move the photos to an external hard drive

Once your photos are on your computer, transferring them to a hard drive is quick.

Plug your external hard drive into your computer
Open the drive in Finder or File Explorer
Drag your photo folder onto the drive
Wait for the files to finish copying

Now your photos are stored safely on a device you control. External drives can hold tens of thousands of photos, depending on the size of the drive. Check out our best external drives article at Cyberguy.com.

BEST WAYS TO SAVE YOUR PHONE’S PHOTOS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

Moving photos from an iPhone or Android device to a hard drive helps preserve memories without ongoing subscription fees. (Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Method 3: Transfer photos directly to a USB flash drive

If you prefer skipping the computer, some flash drives plug directly into smartphones. These drives typically include:

USB-C connectors for Android phones
Lightning connectors for older iPhones
USB-C connectors for iPhone 15 and newer models

After connecting the drive, open the companion app that comes with it. From there, you can move photos directly from your phone to the drive. This option works well when you need to free up space quickly. Be sure to explore our best flash drive recommendations at Cyberguy.com.

Method 4: Keep your photos organized

After transferring photos to a hard drive, spend a few minutes organizing them.

Create folders by:

Hard drives are reliable, but keeping a second backup ensures your memories stay protected if one drive ever fails.

Why this approach saves money

Cloud storage can feel inexpensive at first. Over time, the monthly charges add up. An external hard drive often costs less than a year or two of cloud storage fees. After that, the storage is essentially free. Even better, your photos stay under your control rather than sitting only on a company server.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Janice asked a question many people quietly wonder about. Do we really need to keep paying companies just to store our own memories? Fortunately, the answer is no. With a simple cable and an affordable hard drive, you can free up phone storage, keep every photo you want and avoid ongoing storage fees. Once you try it, the process becomes fast and routine.

So, here is something worth thinking about. If your phone holds years of photos and videos, should those memories live only on a company’s cloud server or somewhere you fully control? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

Microsoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027

Published

21 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Microsoft’s next Xbox, Project Helix, won’t reach alpha until 2027

We’re here at the 2026 Game Developers Conference, where Microsoft “VP of Next Generation” Jason Ronald is talking about a topic near and dear to many gamers’ hearts: the future of Xbox. Ronald says the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, will have a custom AMD chip with “an order of magnitude increase in raytracing performance” up to and including path tracing, and a next-gen version of AMD’s FSR upscaling technology that relies on machine learning and includes frame generation — which can improve the perceived smoothness of a game by imagining new frames between existing ones.

But don’t expect that next Xbox soon: Microsoft will begin sending out “alpha versions” of Project Helix to developers in 2027, Ronald revealed here at GDC.

Details about Project Helix.

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Ronald also confirmed that Xbox and Windows are getting closer together, beyond the fact that Project Helix will play PC games too. “PC is becoming an increasingly important part of Xbox. We’re bringing the best of Xbox to Windows itself,” says Ronald.

Microsoft is bringing the Xbox mode that originally shipped with the Xbox Ally handheld to more Windows computers “to select markets starting in April,” as well as Advanced Shader Delivery, which precompiles shaders so you can download them alongside a game or its updates, instead of having to wait when you launch a title.

Ronald says the Microsoft team’s been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make the Xbox mode “feel distinctly Xbox” and feel the same as you migrate between devices and cloud. He says gamers play 3-5 games at any one time on average, and you should be able to pick up and play whether you’re on console, PC, or cloud.

As we spotted outside the keynote, Microsoft wants game developers to just build once for both Windows and Xbox, instead of building twice for both. It’s creating a unified development environment where “The vast majority of code that your game runs on Xbox is the exact same code that runs on other platforms,” says Ronald.

And while he isn’t promising all games will be this way, Ronald suggests that you won’t have to buy those games multiple times, too: the already-existing Xbox Play Anywhere program lets you buy once and “play on any screen,” he says. The catalog of Xbox Play Anywhere games now has more than 1,500 titles, Ronald says.

As part of the 25th anniversary of Xbox, the the game preservation team will also re-release an unspecified number of older Xbox titles under its Game Preservation program, Ronald says. “As one of the largest publishers in the industry, we feel a deep responsibility to preserve games from the past.” And he hints that “some of our most iconic first-party franchises are returning this year.”

A slide from an Xbox GDC 2026 presentation showing games that are part of game preservation.

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

The news follows Microsoft’s recent announcement of the codename for its next-generation console, Project Helix, which the company says will play both console and PC games. That announcement about Helix was made by new Xbox boss Asha Sharma, who took over as Microsoft’s gaming CEO in February. Former Xbox boss Phil Spencer is retiring, and former Xbox president Sarah Bond, who had been seen as a potential successor to Spencer, also announced her departure.

Last year, Bond hinted that the next-generation Xbox would be more like a PC and noted that it would be a “a very premium, very high-end curated experience.” In her first memo since taking over Xbox, Sharma promised a “renewed commitment to Xbox starting with console,” and in her post about Helix, Sharma said the console would “lead in performance.” This week, Sharma also posted a picture of the original Xbox prototype, which Microsoft is showing at the GDC Festival of Gaming. We’ve got pictures.

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