They force 2G and wipe accounts. New dial in Google News

It will debut in the Google News app soon protection function against SMS Blastersi.e. clever but also dangerous devices used by fraudsters. These are portable simulation devices operation of real base stations mobile operators. Criminals can hide such a device in a backpack or travel with it in a car, spreading mass messages to all phones in a specific area.

The threat is great because SMS Blasters force lowering the communication standard on nearby smartphones to the obsolete 2G. This procedure allows fraudsters completely bypass spam filters imposed by telecoms. As a result, dangerous phishing messages reach users directly without online verification.

Attacks using SMS Blasters have not been heard of in Poland so far, but this method is used by fraudsters in other countries – for example in Germany, France, Greece or Great Britain. Residents of Thailand and Vietnam are also exposed to it. However, it is possible that in response to the increasingly effective protection against fake SMS messages provided by Polish operators, criminals will try to use these tools also for us.

Google has long recommended that do not use 2G networks on Android smartphones. Therefore, for several generations of the system, this standard has been disabled by default, although it can be reactivated in the SIM card settings. It is not worth doing this without a clear need.

According to Android Authority, in the latest beta version of Google News (v20260306) contains the code for a special switch that specifically protects against this type of attacks. This novelty adds a layer of protection in the application itself, which will be a great help for people who cannot afford to be completely cut off from the 2G network due to poor coverage.

For now, it is not known exactly how the messenger will be used verified and blocked fake stations. Google most often uses artificial intelligence and local machine learning models to analyze suspicious content on the device itself. The company will probably use the same mechanisms this time, but they operate independently of other methods, which will provide additional security. The new feature will come to Google News soon.