Recent reports show Google’s SafetyCore service, which scans content on devices, has been quietly installed on Android 9 and newer devices since October 2024.
SafetyCore app
The app, named com.google.android.safetycore, has raised privacy concerns, with some calling it a “backdoor” installation.
Google says SafetyCore works entirely on-device and doesn’t send data outside, but its silent rollout has sparked debates about user consent and transparency.
SafetyCore first arrived in the November 2024 update, bundled with Play Services and the Android System Key Verifier.
Unlike regular apps, SafetyCore has no icon, hides in system processes, and takes up about 2GB of storage — a fact that went viral on X, with claims that Google secretly enabled photo scanning.
Forbes reported that users found SafetyCore by going to Settings > Apps > Show system processes, where it appears as a background service with permissions for internet, storage, and sensors.
Google says SafetyCore helps apps like Google Messages show Sensitive Content Warnings, which blur explicit images and warn users before they see or send them.
Google states that SafetyCore works only when apps request it, uses on-device machine learning, and does not send data to the cloud.
SafetyCore works like client-side scanning (CSS), processing data on the device instead of sending it to servers.
Experts warn CSS can be misused for wider surveillance.
Google says SafetyCore only works with “opt-in” features, but users were not told it was installed.
It runs separately from Google Play Protect and focuses on content filtering, not malware scanning.
The app needs 2GB of RAM, so it works on most phones from 2018 and newer.
This backlash is similar to Apple’s 2022 iMessage scanning controversy, but Apple gave clearer warnings and controls.
In 2024, Apple’s Enhanced Visual Search also faced criticism for turning on without consent.
Both cases show a gap between privacy promises and reality.
After the viral post, Google said SafetyCore is “opt-in” and helps fight scams and abuse, but users still question its transparency.
Leave A Comment