George Mensah

Google Messages is rolling out new updates to reduce spam, specifically targeting fraudulent job offers and fake package delivery texts that clutter your inbox. In addition, the platform is introducing a feature that blurs images that might contain explicit content, providing an extra layer of user protection.

The new Sensitive Content Warning feature is optional and, when activated, blurs images that are flagged for potentially containing nudity. Users will see a content alert with resource links before viewing these images, which are identified through on-device scanning. If someone attempts to share an image with nudity, the app will caution them about the associated risks. Importantly, this process happens entirely on the device, meaning Google doesn’t access or store your images, and the end-to-end encryption of RCS remains intact.

This protection is similar to Apple’s Communication Safety feature introduced with iOS 17. In Google Messages, the content warning feature will automatically be enabled for users under 18 and will roll out within the coming months for devices running Android 9 or newer with over 2GB of RAM.

Improved Spam Detection in Google Messages

To further enhance security, Google Messages is also upgrading its scam detection system. This improvement aims to better identify and filter out fraudulent messages, including those offering fake jobs or claiming to have delayed package deliveries—scams often used to steal personal data. These updates are currently being released to beta users who have spam protection turned on.

Google Messages already identifies and moves suspicious messages into a spam folder, providing warnings for potentially harmful texts. This is done using on-device machine learning, ensuring that Google doesn’t access your personal conversations unless you report a specific message. Despite the current spam filters, some unwanted texts still slip through, which is why Google is refining its system to block common scams more effectively.

Future Spam Protection Updates

Google Messages has more updates in the pipeline, including the ability to automatically hide messages from unknown international numbers—a common source of spam. Additionally, new warnings will notify users when they receive messages that contain potentially dangerous links, helping to prevent phishing and other scams.

In 2024, Google also plans to introduce a contact verification feature. This feature will allow users to verify the identity of their contacts using public key encryption, similar to the system Apple implemented for iMessage. This will provide another layer of security in Google Messages, ensuring that users can communicate safely.

With these updates—improved scam detection, sensitive content warnings, and the upcoming contact verification—Google Messages is reinforcing its efforts to keep users’ messaging experiences secure while reducing spam and safeguarding against fraudulent messages.

ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has announced the termination of an intern for allegedly “maliciously interfering” with the training of one of its AI projects. However, the company has disputed claims regarding the severity of the damage caused by this incident, stating that reports include “exaggerations and inaccuracies.”

The situation gained traction on social media over the weekend, prompting ByteDance to clarify the details. The firm’s Doubao, a generative AI model similar to ChatGPT, stands as China’s most popular AI chatbot.

Tiktok Owner Fires Intern

In its statement, ByteDance noted, “The individual was an intern with the advertising technology team and has no experience with the AI Lab.” They further mentioned that the intern’s social media profiles and certain media reports contained inaccuracies.

Importantly, the company emphasized that its commercial online operations, including its large language AI models, were not affected by the intern’s actions. ByteDance also refuted claims that the incident resulted in damages exceeding $10 million (£7.7 million) by disrupting an AI project that relies on thousands of powerful graphics processing units (GPUs).

Along with terminating the intern’s employment in August, ByteDance reported that it has notified the intern’s university and relevant industry bodies about the incident.

As a prominent player in the tech industry, ByteDance operates some of the world’s most popular social media applications, including TikTok and its Chinese equivalent, Douyin. The company is recognized as a leader in algorithm development, which significantly enhances user engagement across its platforms.

Like many of its competitors both in China and globally, ByteDance is heavily investing in AI projects. The company utilizes this technology not only for its Doubao chatbot but also for various applications, including a text-to-video tool named Jimeng.

Amazon employees, who typically share their concerns on internal platforms or anonymously, took their grievances public this week through a viral LinkedIn post that resonated with many within the company.

The post was written by Stephanie Ramos, a former Amazon employee, who voiced her dissatisfaction with the company’s growing bureaucracy. “Instead of the fast-paced, exciting environment I remembered, I found myself in a place weighed down by endless meetings and unproductive middle management,” Ramos explained, citing these reasons for her decision to leave after just three months of being rehired.

Amazon Employees Air Frustrations

Since posting her thoughts earlier this week, Ramos’ message has garnered over 100,000 views and sparked more than 200 comments. Of those who commented, around 20 are current Amazon employees across various departments, many of whom shared similar frustrations.

Some criticized the leadership of Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO since taking over from founder Jeff Bezos three years ago. “Bezos had a vision and boldness — he held real, live all-hands meetings where tough questions were addressed,” wrote Todd Leonhardt, identified as a software developer at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Another employee, Laura Barry, who has been with Amazon for almost 20 years, compared the company’s current state to a traditional bank and expressed frustration with the new policy requiring employees to be in the office five days a week. “Next, we’ll probably have a dress code after the five-day policy kicks in,” she quipped, “Better cover those tattoos!”

While it’s common for employees to voice complaints, this week’s flood of public criticism on LinkedIn was unusual for Amazon.

In response, Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan did not comment directly on the employee complaints but noted that Amazon ranked second on LinkedIn’s 2023 Top Companies list, which highlights large companies based on factors like employee growth and advancement.

Under Jassy’s leadership, Amazon has undergone layoffs and cost-cutting measures that have satisfied investors but alienated some staff members. Jassy himself acknowledged challenges within the company in a September memo when he announced the five-day office return, stating that trimming management layers would help revive Amazon’s core culture.

Although there was resistance to this return-to-office policy, much of the dissent had remained on anonymous platforms like Blind, where employees can voice opinions without revealing their identities.

Ramos, who had previously worked at Amazon for six years as a logistics project manager before being laid off in 2023, returned to the company earlier this year but ultimately resigned. She shared that while the office return policy wasn’t an issue for her, the shift in company culture led to her decision to leave.

Though initially nervous about posting her thoughts publicly, Ramos said she felt validated when she saw the amount of support from her colleagues. “I realized I’m not the only one who feels this way,” she said.