Google May Bring Scam Detection to WhatsApp, Signal & Instagram via Pixel Updates
Android System Intelligence Teases Spam Alerts Beyond Messages and Phone for Pixels
Google’s scam-detection tools on Pixel devices, which currently operate in Phone and Messages apps, appear to be expanding. A recent teardown of Android System Intelligence (ASI) suggests that the next update may enable spam and scam alerts inside apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Instagram, and even Twitter (now X).
This is not yet live, and Google hasn’t confirmed a release date. But the clues in the APK (Android application package) are strong.
What We Actually Learned From the APK Teardown
Android Authority dug into version B.13.playstore.pixel10.801661517 of Android System Intelligence (for the Pixel 10 series) and found strings in the code that reference “Scam Detection in supported third-party apps.”
A few particulars:
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The detection seems tied to notifications rather than having the feature operate wholly inside the third-party app. So, when a notification from WhatsApp or Signal pops up, the system might analyze it and flag it.
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In the discovered list of apps in the APK, there are names like WhatsApp, Signal, Instagram, and Twitter/X. Also, some legacy names, like Hangouts (which Google has long since deprecated), show up. That suggests the list is partially outdated or broad.
Context & Why This Matters
The evolution of Google’s scam protection
Until now, Pixel users have received scam alerts for suspicious calls (e.g., spoofed numbers) and for text messages that resemble known scam patterns. That’s been a helpful guardrail.
But as more scam activity shifts to chat apps, people receiving spam links or phishing messages through WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, or Signal, the danger lies beyond traditional SMS. Expanding detection could protect a lot more people.
Privacy concerns & technical challenges
Because ASI operates within Android’s Private Compute Core, Google claims a strong focus on privacy: some features are processed on-device rather than having sensitive data sent to cloud servers. But anything that starts reading message notifications (even without full content) can raise questions about what is being analyzed, what is stored, and who gets access.
What We Don’t Know Yet
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When will this roll out? Google hasn’t said whether it’s beta, gradual, or wide release.
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Which devices will support it? Will it be limited to the newest Pixels (Pixel 10 & up)? Will older Pixels get it? What about non-Pixel phones? So far, APK discovery is on Pixel 10.
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How “deep” the detection will be. Just notifications? Or scanning inside apps to some degree (with permissions)? How many apps will be supported?
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Accuracy & false positives. Spam detection in chat apps is harder: formatting, encryption, and content variety all complicate things.
Analysts’ Thoughts & Risks
An analyst I spoke with (who asked to remain unnamed) said: “Moving detection into third-party messengers is the logical next step—but Google will need to tread carefully around privacy. Users will push back hard if the system flags benign messages or if people feel their message content is being scanned too invasively.”
Another source familiar with Pixel user feedback added, “People want help with scams more than ads. If this works well, Google could raise the bar, especially since a lot of scams today happen through forwarded messages or DMs.”
Implications for Users
If this rolls out, Pixel users may soon get scam or spam alerts before opening a message from WhatsApp or Signal—or even from Instagram’s messaging. That could reduce phishing risk, spam annoyance, and possibly protect against fraud.
On the flip side, it may require giving more permissions (notifications, maybe message metadata), and Google’s success will depend on avoiding false alarms (which can desensitize people). Also, whether this remains a Pixel-only thing or gets broader will influence its impact.
Google appears to be preparing a significant expansion of scam-detection capability for its smartphones, pushing beyond calls and SMS into the world of chat apps, where a lot of malicious messaging happens today. If done well, this could help plug one of the major weak points in mobile security: scams via messaging. If done poorly, it could raise privacy concerns or annoy users with false flags.
Stay tuned. For now, it’s a work in progress, but one that many of us will want, especially those who use WhatsApp, Signal, or Instagram daily.
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