Google Messages introduces new privacy controls for profile discovery

Google Messages, the main platform for RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging on Android, continues to expand its features. As more companies move away from their messaging apps in favor of Google Messages, the app must adapt to meet the expectations of its growing user base.

A notable update is the introduction of Profile Discovery, which allows users to manage how their profile is shown to others. Google first introduced this feature in November 2023, and though it hasn’t been fully rolled out, there are signs that Google is addressing privacy concerns related to profile visibility.

What’s New in Profile Discovery?

Profile Discovery in Google Messages lets users control how others see their information. Users can choose between showing either their full name or a short version of it. They can also decide whether to display their profile picture.

In the beta version of Google Messages (v20241010), new privacy settings offer more detailed controls. Users will have the following options for managing their profile visibility:

1. People You Message: This setting allows anyone you communicate with to see your name and profile picture. It acts similarly to making your profile “Public,” meaning people can find you through your phone number when using the Profile Discovery feature.
2. Only Your Contacts: With this option, your profile details, including your name and picture, will only be visible to those saved in your phone’s contact list.
3. No One: If you select this option, no one will be able to see your name or profile picture.

These privacy choices will likely be shown to users the first time they log into Google Messages after the update. Afterward, users can access these settings by going to the “Your Profile” section within the account switcher.

Addressing Privacy Concerns

One uncertainty remains—whether the “No One” option will fully disable the Profile Discovery feature. However, these new privacy settings should resolve many concerns about unwanted visibility. Previously, people feared that their names and profile pictures were too easily accessible to others, including those who might search for them randomly by number.

While these new options provide greater control over who can see your information, there is still no way to set a different profile name or picture exclusively for Google Messages. The app uses the name and profile picture from your main Google account, such as your Gmail photo.

Gradual Rollout and What’s Next

It’s worth noting that the Profile Discovery feature hasn’t been released to all Google Messages users yet. Even though it has been almost a year since it was first announced, Google seems to be focused on addressing these privacy issues before pushing it out to everyone. While there’s no official timeline for when this feature will be available to all users, the ongoing developments indicate Google is taking privacy concerns seriously as it prepares for a broader rollout.

This privacy-focused update in Google Messages marks an important step in enhancing user control, ensuring that the app evolves to meet the needs of its expanding user base without compromising security or privacy.