Overview
- Google introduced the capability on December 2 as part of the Android 16 QPR2 update.
- Users trigger the check by circling suspect text on-screen in Circle to Search, with a similar flow available by uploading a screenshot to Lens.
- An AI Overview draws on information from across the web to highlight red flags and assess the likelihood that a message is a scam without leaving the current app.
- The tool suggests concrete next steps such as blocking a sender, reporting the incident, or verifying requests through official channels.
- A phased global rollout has begun, with broader access gated on response-quality confidence and availability expected to expand over the coming weeks, while analysts note effectiveness will depend on continual model updates.