Google Messages Gains Advanced Scam Protection with Key Verifier, New Features
Google Messages is rolling out Key Verifier, a new tool designed to bolster user security against increasingly sophisticated impersonation scams. The feature, initially previewed in May 2025, allows users to verify the identity of contacts through public encryption keys, offering a crucial layer of protection in an era of rising SIM swap attacks and message-based fraud.
The rollout addresses a growing threat to Google Messages users, where scammers exploit compromised phone numbers to impersonate trusted contacts. Key Verifier aims to mitigate this risk by providing a clear indication within the Google Contacts app when a contact’s verification status changes, possibly signaling a compromised account. This proactive approach empowers users to identify and avoid fraudulent communications before thay fall victim to scams.
Key Verifier functions by utilizing QR codes – accessible both within Google messages’ Details page and the Google Contacts app – representing each contact’s unique encryption key.Users can either display their own QR code for verification or scan a contact’s code to confirm their identity.
According to Google, if an attacker gains access to a friend’s phone number and uses it on another device, the contact’s verification status will be flagged as unverified in the Google Contacts app, alerting the user to a potential account compromise or change.
To initiate verification, users navigate to the Details page within a conversation in Google Messages and select “Verify encryption,” then choose to display their QR code or scan their contact’s.
https://9to5google.com/2025/10/15/google-messages-key-verifier-launch/
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