- Google has rolled out a message feature in beta that allows you to use QR codes to verify the device for the person you text
- It’s Google -Messages’ new security measure designed to prevent imitation fraud
- Google revealed last year that it would be rolled out to users in 2025
It seems that a new security measure is on its way to Google messages as the company has begun to roll a new QR code feature in the latest beta that verifies the device for the person you are chatting with.
First discovered by 9to5Google, Google’s new verification tool in messages aims to prevent imitation fraud. Before, you can verify contacts by tapping ‘verifying encryption’ and presenting an 80-digit code that you can share with the other person to verify your device and vice versa.
While Google notifications have always had a verification feature, its new QR Code Government provides a more practical way of proving the identity of the person you are texting with. In this case, if someone should break into a conversation that pretends to be a contact, Google can check if their device is verified and warn you if it is suspicious of strange activities.
Outlet also says Google brings it to Android 9+ devices this year, but where can you find it in the beta?
If you have access, open the Google Messages app and click a conversation. When you press the name of the contact, it opens the details page that shows the section ‘End-to-end encryption’ and you want to press ‘confirmed encryption’.
In addition to the existing option of 80 digit code, there will also be an option to scan your contact’s QR code. Messages also ask you to ask the other person to scan your QR code in return so Google can verify each device. To view verification status you can see them in the ‘Connected Apps’ section of your device’s contacts; However, this integration has not gone live yet, according to 9to5Google.
Recently, the company has worked around the clock to provide its messages service Service much needed upgrades-like its new ‘Delete for all’ function and now it doubles its security measures.
Last October, Google revealed plans to improve the spam protection in messages after adding a unsubscribe button to prevent unwanted spam messages and a sensitive content warning tool, both of which rolled out in April. We expect the QR function to arrive before the end of the year, but an exact date has not been revealed yet.
