Google has been hit with a privacy scandal after its SafetyCore system update was secretly installed on Android devices without user consent. The system, designed to scan and classify sensitive content, has raised concerns among security experts and users alike.
Similar to Apple’s recent Enhanced Visual Search technology, SafetyCore is meant to improve security but has sparked controversy due to the lack of transparency surrounding its installation and functionality. While Google claims that users remain in control and can disable or uninstall the service, many are skeptical about the company’s intentions.
The issue began when a user discovered that SafetyCore was installed on their device without their knowledge or consent, raising concerns about data collection and privacy. GrapheneOS, an Android security developer, has pointed out that while SafetyCore provides on-device machine learning models for classification, it lacks transparency and is not open-source, which could compromise user trust.
Google emphasizes that the scanning itself is done separately from its system services, but critics argue that this does not alleviate concerns about data sharing with other Google services. The company’s handling of the situation has led to accusations of secrecy and a lack of openness.
As with Apple’s recent controversy, users are demanding more transparency and control over their devices. To address these concerns, Google should provide clearer information about its SafetyCore system and ensure that users can opt-in or opt-out of the service easily. Until then, many will remain skeptical about the company’s intentions.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/02/26/google-starts-scanning-your-photos-without-any-warning