Android could soon prevent accidental sharing of nude photos

Google is planning to bring its Sensitive Content Warning system to Android’s standard Photo Picker, according to Android Authority.

References to the integration were found in the code of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4. The feature relies on Android System SafetyCore, which classifies images and videos entirely on-device, without sending that data to Google’s servers.

The technology is already used in Google Messages, where it can automatically detect nudity in incoming and outgoing messages, blur previews and warn the user. Bringing the same system into Photo Picker would allow third-party apps to request a safety check before a file is sent.

The feature could reduce the risk of accidentally sharing private images in chats or on social platforms, while also giving developers a way to apply age-based protections for younger users without having to build their own moderation systems.

The protection would only work when an app uses Android’s standard media picker. If a file is sent directly through a file manager and bypasses Photo Picker, the check would not run.