A new update to the Android system has sparked widespread controversy among users and privacy experts, after discovering a system application or service called Android System SafetyCore that is automatically installed on some devices.

The service analyzes images on the phone in search of sensitive content such as nude images or material that may be considered inappropriate, using artificial intelligence techniques within the device itself.

Technical reports explain that SafetyCore is a system component belonging to Google, which works as an internal protection layer for applications such as Google Messages, and its primary function is to detect sensitive content in images or messages, then display a warning to the user before opening or sharing it.

Google confirms that this process takes place locally on the device without sending the images to external servers, meaning that the data does not leave the phone. However, the method of installing the service automatically without clear notice has raised widespread concern among users.

The service relies on Machine Learning techniques to analyze images directly on the device.

When an image is detected that may contain sensitive content, the image is blurred or partially hidden, a warning message is displayed before it is opened, and the user is given the option to continue viewing or ignore it.

Google says that the goal of this feature is to protect users, especially minors, from exposure to unwanted content. (Erm News)