Key points
- Circle to Search on Android now provides AI insights to identify potential scams in text messages.
- Users activate the tool by long-pressing the home button or navigation bar to circle suspicious content.
- The system offers guidance and suggested next steps, including blocking numbers if red flags appear.
Google has enhanced its Circle to Search feature on Android devices to help users detect scam text messages. According to first-hand research published by Google, the tool uses artificial intelligence to analyse suspicious messages, allowing users to identify threats before clicking links or sharing personal information. This capability addresses increasingly sophisticated scammer tactics by providing immediate safety insights directly within the messaging interface.
The feature operates through a simple gesture-based interaction. Users long-press the home button or navigation bar to activate Circle to Search, then draw a circle around the specific message they wish to verify. The system generates an AI Overview containing guidance and insights. If the analysis detects red flags, it suggests deleting the message and blocking the associated number, helping users avoid potential fraud.
How the feature functions
The process relies on user initiation and visual selection. By circling the text, the user triggers an AI review that evaluates the message content for common scam indicators. The resulting overview provides contextual advice rather than automatic deletion, preserving user control. This approach balances convenience with caution, ensuring users understand why a message might be dangerous before taking action.
Who is affected
This update applies to Android users who have access to the Circle to Search feature. It specifically targets individuals receiving suspicious text messages, a common vector for social engineering attacks. By integrating scam detection into a standard navigation gesture, Google aims to protect a broad range of users from phishing attempts and fraudulent communications without requiring additional app installations.
What happens next
Users should familiarise themselves with the long-press gesture to quickly access the tool when encountering uncertain messages. Monitoring the AI Overview for specific red flags is essential. If the system advises caution, following the suggested steps to delete the message and block the sender helps mitigate risk. Regular use of this feature can strengthen overall awareness of phishing tactics.
Why this attack works
Teams usually encounter social engineering attempts that exploit urgency or curiosity. This analysis highlights how automated tools can interrupt the initial engagement phase. Check whether your organisation encourages staff to verify suspicious communications before acting. The weakness lies in the recipient’s tendency to trust incoming messages implicitly. Guidance for this kind of event suggests leveraging available AI assistants to second-guess ambiguous content. This reduces reliance on human intuition alone, which can be manipulated by well-crafted phishing narratives.
What to do and how to stay safe: Google
- Activate Circle to Search by long-pressing the home button when you receive a suspicious text.
- Circle the message content to trigger an AI analysis of potential scam indicators.
- Review the AI Overview for red flags and follow suggested actions like blocking the number.
- Delete messages identified as scams to prevent accidental interaction with malicious links.
Step-by-step guide: Security Awareness Training: How Human Behaviour Shapes Defence
General security guidance from the Payload Report newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use Circle to Search to check for scams?
Long-press the home button or navigation bar, then circle the suspicious message to see AI insights.
What does the AI Overview show?
It provides guidance, insights, and suggested next steps, such as deleting the message or blocking the number.
Does this feature automatically delete scam messages?
No, it provides insights and suggestions, but users must manually delete messages or block numbers.
