• 2024 Google System Update: On Nov. 7, 2024, Google released a System update for Android 9 and later, including Android System SafetyCore. It's an Android system component providing privacy-preserving on-device user protection infrastructure for apps. Updates mainly focused on security fixes, but SafetyCore was new.
• Google Messages Security Features: After the release, Google described SafetyCore's functionality in Google Messages. Sensitive Content Warnings blurs nudity images before viewing and prompts with a "speed bump" containing help resources. Google assured users it doesn't access image contents.
• SafetyCore's Function: It can target, detect, and filter images for sensitive content using machine-learning functionality. Google said it provides on-device infrastructure for securely performing classification at app request without sending data to external servers.
• User Concerns: Many users are unhappy as SafetyCore installs silently on Android 9 and later devices without explicit user consent, raising privacy and control concerns. It doesn't have an icon and is hard to find. Some reported it reinstalled after uninstallation during system updates or through Google Play Services.
• How to Remove: To uninstall or disable SafetyCore, open Settings, access Apps, show system apps, locate SafetyCore, and choose Uninstall or disable. Manage permissions if not uninstalling. But it may reinstall.
• Comparison with Apple: Apple offers similar functionality on iPhones with Communication Safety and gives users the power to decide. Google, on the other hand, has made it difficult to deal with SafetyCore.
• Google's Response: A Google spokesperson said by default, Google System services automatically update devices with security and new features. Some updates are delivered via system services in separate Android packages to maintain privacy and data isolation.