Google Messages will now blur videos containing nudity with local analysis
Google is enhancing the security of its messaging application. Following the introduction of an automatic blurring system for sensitive photos, Google Messages can now detect videos containing nudity and alert the user prior to viewing.
Google Messages: A New Step Towards Conversation Safety
Last August, Google launched “Sensitive Content Warnings,” a feature that automatically blurs explicit images received in Messages.
Now, this protection extends to videos, thanks to the October 2025 update of Play Services (version 25.39).
This new feature was noted in the official update notes of Google Play Services. However, as usual, the rollout will be gradual, and it may take several weeks before it appears on all Android devices.
Once activated, Google Messages will automatically analyze incoming and outgoing videos for explicit content.
The analysis is conducted directly on the device, without sending files to Google or external servers. This relies on SafetyCore, an Android infrastructure dedicated to local detection of sexual images and videos while respecting data privacy.
How Does It Work?
If a video is identified as containing nudity, it will be automatically blurred in the conversation. The user can then choose to delete it without viewing, or manually watch it if desired. The system operates similarly to how it does for images: it aims to prevent visual shocks or unsolicited content without compromising privacy.
Apple already offers a comparable feature through its Communication Safety option in iMessage. Here too, explicit images are blurred, and the system provides safety guidance, especially for child accounts.
The main difference lies in the target audience:
- Apple focuses its protection on minors;
- Google, however, extends the system to all users, adults and teenagers, with age-appropriate settings.
A Small Change, But A Big Step For Digital Safety
Even though this update may not seem groundbreaking, it represents a significant advancement. The sensitive content warnings help reduce unwanted exposure to explicit videos, all while respecting privacy through local analysis.
At a time when more and more teenagers spend a considerable part of their lives online, this measure shows that Google is starting to take user protection more seriously.
