Circle to Search can now recognize scam texts for you

Circle to Search is getting a new trick that detects suspicious messages or web content, letting users know why it could be part of a scam.

Malicious actors are becoming increasingly common, and scam texts appear to be increasing exponentially. As more of those ill-intentioned actors get hold of the latest AI models, scams are evolving in subtlety.

Google’s Circle to Search is rolling out a new function that takes aim at scams, whether they take the form of text messages or other web content. After activating Circle to Search, users can circle messages or other clumps of text that stand out as suspicious.

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The selection will automatically open into AI Overview with a breakdown of why that message or content may be part of a scam, as well as suggested next steps.

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Considering most online scams follow a similar formula, red flags aren’t unique in every situation. Circle to Search looks to find all of those red flags and point them out, which only benefits the end user.

Google details the feature:

Get peace of mind on suspicious chats or texts. With Circle to Search, you can easily find more information about anything you see on your screen, including content you suspect are scams. You’ll see a helpful AI Overview, backed by information from across the web, letting you know if the content is likely a scam. It provides relevant guidance and suggested next steps, so you can screen suspicious messages without needing to switch apps.

Google also notes that this feature will be available through Lens by taking a screenshot of the text and uploading it.

This feature announcement comes as part of Google’s broader Android 16 QPR2 update, which introduces other safety features, including the ability to opt out of unwanted group chats more quickly. Google is also adding the option to mark calls as urgent when dialing an outgoing number.

Circle to Search’s new scam detection will roll out globally, though it may not be as fast as the rest of the Android 16 QPR2 additions. Google says it will appear more widely “when our systems have high confidence in the quality of the response.”