Google Enhances Communication with ‘Urgent’ Call Flags and Group Chat Safety Alerts
Google is introducing significant updates to its Phone and Messages applications, aiming to improve user communication and safety. These enhancements include the ability to mark calls as ‘Urgent’ and new alerts for group chats initiated by unknown numbers.
‘Urgent’ Call Feature in Google Phone App
The Google Phone app is set to beta test a feature called Call Reason, allowing users to mark outgoing calls to saved contacts as ‘Urgent.’ This function is particularly useful in situations requiring immediate attention, such as emergencies or time-sensitive matters.
When initiating a call, users will see a prompt asking, Mark call as urgent? with an option to notify the recipient. Once selected, the recipient’s incoming call screen will display It’s urgent! accompanied by an animated siren emoji, ensuring the call’s importance is immediately recognized. Additionally, this urgency flag will be noted in the call history for future reference. This feature is expected to be available soon.
Enhanced Safety Measures in Google Messages
To bolster user safety, Google Messages is introducing alerts for group chats initiated by unknown numbers. Upon being added to such a group, users will receive a notification detailing the unknown sender’s number and the number of participants in the chat. If any known contacts are part of the group, that information will also be displayed.
Users will have the option to Stay in group or Leave group. Choosing to leave allows users to block the number that added them and report the conversation as spam, enhancing control over group chat participation and reducing unwanted interactions.
Circle to Search: A Tool Against Scams
In a related development, Google is introducing Circle to Search, a feature designed to help users identify potential scams within messages. By highlighting suspicious content, users can access an AI-generated overview that analyzes information from across the web to determine the message’s legitimacy. For instance, if a message promises guaranteed high returns, the tool will flag this as a common red flag in investment scams and advise against sharing personal information or clicking associated links.
This feature aims to provide users with a seamless way to screen questionable messages without leaving their current chat application, enhancing security across various messaging platforms.
Conclusion
These updates reflect Google’s commitment to enhancing user communication and safety. By introducing features like ‘Urgent’ call flags, group chat safety alerts, and scam detection tools, Google aims to provide a more secure and efficient communication experience for its users.
