Google has updated its Messages app to make it more like iMessage on iOS, but has also made messaging on Android more secure.
Along with its Rich Communication Services that brought the ability to chat over Wi-Fi or mobile data, read receipts and better group chat capabilities, Google has rolled out two new features to make your communications more secure: Verified SMS for Messages and spam detection.
Verified SMS for Message
Businesses use SMS messages to share useful information with customers, like one-time passwords, account alerts, or other notifications. Phishing attacks often utilize those messages to gain entry to a consumer or business account.
Verified SMS for Messages, which the company rolled out last week, can help your business send verified text messages and help consumers identify the true identity of the business that’s texting them, Google said in a blog post.
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“The feature works by verifying, on a per-message basis, that content is sent by a specific business,” Google wrote. “When a message is verified—which is done without sending your messages to Google—you’ll see the business name and logo as well as a verification badge in the message thread.”
Several businesses have already signed up for the service, the company said.
Real-time spam detection
Google also rolled out a new Messages feature that protects users from spam. It will warn you of suspected spam and unsafe websites it detects. Users that see suspected spam in Messages can let Google know if its spam or not to help improve the model.
Users can also report spam texts and block the conversation, so they won’t receive future messages.
The feature has been available in other countries over the past year and is now rolling out throughout the U.S., Google said.
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