Google Messages is enhancing its Sensitive Content Warning feature, now extending it to videos. This means the app can automatically detect nudity and explicit content, then alert users before they ever see it. By default, these potentially explicit videos will be blurred, giving you the choice to either view them or delete them without exposure. This important update builds upon the existing image protection launched in August, significantly boosting chat safety and privacy across your messaging experience. It’s a move similar to Apple’s Sensitive Content Warning on iOS, designed to help users steer clear of unwanted explicit media.
Google Messages Introduces Video Content Warnings
The official rollout of video detection for nudity and explicit content in Google Messages is happening with the October 2025 Play Services update (v25.39). While the feature was highlighted in the latest Play Services release notes, it might not appear on all devices immediately, as Google often deploys system updates in phases. Therefore, some users might still be on the September version for a little while longer.
Once the update reaches your device, the Google Messages app will intelligently scan both incoming and outgoing videos for explicit content, just as it already does with images. Crucially, this entire process is handled locally on your device. Nothing is uploaded to Google’s servers or shared externally. This privacy-focused functionality is powered by SafetyCore, an Android framework specifically designed to detect explicit content in photos and videos while ensuring all your personal data remains private and secure on your device.
Leveraging the same robust system already in place for images, Google Messages will automatically blur any video identified as explicit. This gives you complete control: you can preview the content (if you choose), or simply delete it without ever fully seeing it. This non-intrusive approach makes your messaging experience safer and more comfortable.
This seemingly minor update carries significant weight. Sensitive Content Warnings are vital for limiting unwanted exposure, particularly for younger users. The fact that all detection occurs locally is paramount, ensuring that all media remains securely on your device and off Google’s servers.
Similarly, Apple offers a “Communication Safety” feature in iMessage, which blurs explicit content and provides helpful safety tips, primarily for children. All detection in Apple’s system is also performed on-device to safeguard user privacy. The key distinction, however, is that while Apple’s feature focuses mainly on minors, Google’s system is designed to apply to both adults and teens, with settings automatically adjusting based on the user’s age to provide a comprehensive safety net.