In October 2024, Google introduced a new feature called SafetyCore as part of its Android system update. Designed to enhance user safety, SafetyCore includes a tool called Sensitive Content Warnings for Google Messages. This feature blurs potentially explicit images and provides resources to prevent accidental sharing. While the intention was to protect users, by February 2025, the feature had sparked widespread privacy concerns, leading to heated debates and calls for action.

SafetyCore scans users’ entire photo galleries to identify sensitive content, such as nudity. Google claims the scanning happens entirely on-device, meaning the company doesn’t access or store the contents of the images. Despite this assurance, many users were alarmed to discover that the app was automatically installed on their devices without their knowledge. Critics argue that this behavior mirrors malware, as it operates silently in the background and scans personal data without explicit consent.

Cecily Mauran, a tech reporter at Mashable, highlighted these concerns in her February 27, 2025, article. She noted that Reddit threads and Google Play Store reviews were flooded with complaints. One user stated, “Silently installed itself in the background and scans all your data. If you take the name Google out of the equation, this is textbook malware behavior.”

Google responded to the backlash by emphasizing that the feature is optional and intended to protect users from unintentionally sharing sensitive content. In a statement on their security blog, the company clarified, “Sensitive Content Warnings doesn’t allow Google access to the contents of your images, nor does Google know that nudity may have been detected.” They also pointed out that message contents are end-to-end encrypted, further safeguarding user privacy.

Despite these assurances, many users remain skeptical. The controversy has reignited discussions about the balance between safety and privacy in the tech world. While Google’s intentions may be rooted in user protection, the lack of transparency and automatic installation have left a sour taste for many.

For those looking to regain control over their privacy, uninstalling or disabling the SafetyCore app is relatively straightforward. Users can navigate to Settings > Apps, select “See all apps,” and then “Show system apps” under the three-dot menu. From there, they can locate SafetyCore and choose to uninstall it. If the uninstall option is unavailable, users can still disable the app to stop it from running in the background.

This incident underscores the growing tension between tech companies and users over privacy concerns. As Google continues to innovate, it must also prioritize transparency and user consent to maintain trust. For now, Android users have the tools to opt out of SafetyCore, but the broader conversation about digital privacy is far from over.

In the words of a Reddit user, “It’s not about what they’re scanning—it’s about the fact that they’re scanning at all without asking.” As we navigate the evolving landscape of technology, stories like this serve as a reminder to stay informed and vigilant about how our data is being used.