Google Messages Is Testing a New Way to Verify the Identity of the Person You’re Chatting With
It may seem obvious that texting an unfamiliar phone number can be dangerous , but what about numbers you know and trust? You probably wouldn’t be afraid to text a friend or family member you talk to regularly. But even if you use the same number, how can you be sure you’re talking to who you think you’re talking to?
On the one hand, there’s the problem of the medium itself. SMS, of course, is text-based, meaning you never know for sure whether the other person is actually writing each message. But that’s not the threat Google is focusing on right now. The company is more concerned about scammers who can impersonate someone else, tricking you into thinking you’re sending SMS from one device when in fact you’re sharing information with a stranger.
Google Messages now has a feature called “Encryption Verification” that helps prevent this: “Encryption Verification.” This feature generates an 80-digit code that you can share with another contact to verify your device. That way, if an attacker somehow gets into your conversations and tries to impersonate your contact, Google Messages can confirm that their device hasn’t been verified, and thus warn you of the potential danger.
Google Messages Tests QR Code Verification
While 80-character codes are secure, they’re not exactly convenient. So it’s interesting to see Google testing a new method for verifying contacts. According to 9to5Google , Google Messages will soon support QR code verification. Instead of relying on an 80-character code, contacts can simply scan a QR code to verify — a much more convenient option than an endless string of characters.
Here’s how it works: When the feature appears in the Google Messages app, you can access it from any conversation. Tap a contact’s name at the top of the window, then select the “Verify encryption” option in the “End-to-end encryption” field. In addition to a “Compare verification codes” button that displays your device’s 80-digit code, a pop-up will appear asking you to show the QR code to your contact. The feature also prompts you to scan the code displayed in your contact’s app. Once you’ve both scanned each other’s QR codes, Google Messages will be able to verify each device.
9to5Google sees a QR code feature in the latest Google Messages beta, though it’s not working yet. If you want to test it out right away when it launches, you’ll need to sign up for the Google Messages beta. To do so, head to the Google Messages page in the Play Store , sign in with your Google account, and select “Become a tester.”
Apple has a similar feature for iMessage called Contact Key Verification . This feature works automatically if you and your contact have it enabled, but like Google Messages, you can verify contacts manually. Apple allows you to do this with a code on your device or a public verification code you send to your contact.