Google Messages likely to introduce Profile Discovery controls

Google Messages, the primary medium for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging on Android, is set to introduce new privacy controls for its profile discovery feature. The update would address concerns about the users' profile visibility by offering them more control over their personal information.

What is Google Messages Profile Discovery?

Google Messages Profile Discovery, announced in November 2023, allows users to build profiles so people can find them more easily. This feature raised privacy concerns because users' names and profile pictures were publicly accessible for anyone having their number.

Profile Discovery new privacy options

In the latest Google Messages beta (v20241010), there are new changes that give users three profile privacy options:

• People you message: Shows your name and profile picture to all those you are messaging.
• Only your contacts: Only contacts in your phone's contact book can see you.
• Nobody: Hides your name and profile picture.

These options would be there when the user logs in for the first time but can also be accessed later through the "Your profile" options.

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This update would respond to some of the legitimate concerns related to privacy of profiles in terms of discovery. Users would now have a choice about who can see their name and profile picture. This makes the overall user experience while sending messages much better.

For now, users are not permitted to create their different profiles with names or pictures for Google Messages because, by nature, it draws upon Google account data.

Google Messages Profile Discovery availability

Though these Profiles have not been implemented throughout much of its user base, Google's efforts seem to pay off toward reducing major privacy concerns. The schedule for when the features would be ready for distribution is undisclosed but can be expected soon.