jackFeb 5, 2025

You remember #Apple scanning all images on your #mobile device?

If you have an #Android #phone, a new app that doesn't appear in your menu has been automatically and silently installed (or soon will be) by #Google. It is called #AndroidSystemSafetyCore and does exactly the same - scan all images on your device as well as all incoming ones (via messaging). The new spin is that it does so "to protect your #privacy".

You can uninstall this app safely via System -> Apps.

https://developers.google.com/android/binary_transparency/google1p/overview

Google System APK Transparency  |  Android Binary Transparency  |  Google for Developers

Google for Developers
Show threadGytis Repečka

@jack How do you know that it scans images?

Are there any traces collected, sources available or these are speculations? 

Feb 6, 2025 at 6:19pmWeb
Show threadGytis RepečkaFeb 6, 2025
@jack Sorry, it is rather well explained in Google documentation linked 
5 new protections on Google Messages to help keep you safe

Posted by Jan Jedrzejowicz, Director of Product, Android and Business Communications; Alberto Pastor Nieto, Sr. Product Manager Google Messa...

Google Online Security Blog
Show threadVolodymyrFeb 8, 2025
@gytisrepecka Google: "no one can't scam you or stole your data, except us"

@jack
Show threadlostdocoFeb 8, 2025
@gytisrepecka @jack thanks for posting this - it seems like this is an opt-in feature for adults and remains entirely on device.
Show threadAlexanderMarsFeb 8, 2025
@lostdoco @gytisrepecka @jack sure it is, totally benign right, besides you've got nothing hide right?
Show threadI-baLLFeb 9, 2025
@AlexanderMars @lostdoco @gytisrepecka @jack kinda sounds like you didn't read it. Nothing to hide from yourself? If it's on the device only then what are you referring to?
Show threadGytis RepečkaFeb 9, 2025
@i_ball @AlexanderMars @lostdoco @jack Even for offline scanning I don't need or want such functionality, which potentially could feed other Google services in the future 
Show threadPaul GanssleFeb 8, 2025
@gytisrepecka @jack That still seems materially different from the thing Apple was doing, no? Apple was going to scan your images and report you for potential CSAM. This thing says it uses an on-device model to detect nudity and notify you that an image contains nudity before showing it to you or before you send it to someone.
Show threadWildduckFeb 8, 2025
@pganssle @gytisrepecka @jack I'm not a Google fan but as i read in this link, everything seems to be analysed "on device". Or the nude detection isn't, because "on device" isn't repeated for this part ?
Show threadDaniel BohrerFeb 8, 2025
@gytisrepecka @jack this is about Google Messages. I don't use Google Messages and it is not installed on my device. The article doesn't say anything about scanning other images on the device (i.e. visible in gallery) as far as I can see.
Show threadTeoh Han HuiFeb 9, 2025
@gytisrepecka @jack https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113969399311251057
GrapheneOS (@[email protected])

The functionality provided by Google's new Android System SafetyCore app available through the Play Store is covered here: https://security.googleblog.com/2024/10/5-new-protections-on-google-messages.html Neither this app or the Google Messages app using it are part of GrapheneOS and neither will be, but GrapheneOS users can choose to install and use both. Google Messages still works without the new app.

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