How Google protects your privacy with spam detection

With real-time spam detection, Google Messages makes chatting easier and safer. Spam protection identifies different types of spam, which includes harmful content like scams and phishing attempts.

Spam detection works with your message data on your device and may also ephemerally process the contents of unencrypted messages to detect spam and use those signals to train AI models to improve spam detection. Chatting between users using Google Messages is always end-to-end encrypted when RCS is enabled.

Messages detected as spam can be dropped and senders can be suspended when found to violate the Google Terms of Service.

How spam detection works

When Google Messages detects suspected spam, it can prevent spam messages from getting delivered and hide spam in the spam folder. If you get a suspected spam or scam warning in Google Messages, you can let Google and Carriers know if it’s spam or not by tapping “Report spam” or “Report not spam.”

How we protect your data

We use data without personally identifying you.

When Spam protection is on, Google Messages filters spam by (i) using machine learning models that operate on your device to detect known spam patterns in your messages and (ii) checking if the message contains a URL and if yes, uploading that URL to Google to verify that the link is not malicious. Even when you don’t have a data connection, Google Messages can detect spam on your device.

Google spam detection may ephemerally process the contents of unencrypted messages to detect and prevent spam, and use those signals to improve AI models for spam detection. These protections enable spam detection for users who’s device does not support on device spam filtering. Chatting between users using Google Messages is always end-to-end encrypted when RCS is enabled.

Depending on the features that you have opted into, spam information is sent to Google anonymously to improve spam and abuse protection. Google temporarily stores the phone numbers of messages you receive from people that aren't in your contacts, your country, and other non-identifying information. Google doesn't store any data on persistent identifiers like your name or phone number, which means Google doesn't know who you're messaging.

Google Messages combines the available data from your device and Google servers to improve spam detection. This process happens on your device.

Learn more about reporting spam or blocking a number.

You're in control

Spam protection is turned on automatically, and you’ll be notified when this happens. You can turn it off anytime in your settings:

1. Open Google Messages .

2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initials.

3. Tap Messages settings Spam protection.
   • You'll only find "Spam protection" if it's available on your device.
4. Turn Enable spam protection on or off.