Lately we’ve become too reliant on messaging to connect with friends and family. This is partly due to our busy schedules, but there’s a big issue with messaging: How can you be sure you’re talking to the person is really they are? C’mon, we’ve all heard stories of hacked accounts that fool people and scam them by asking for money.
Now Google is working on a solution to end this type of scam, as it’s rolling out a new Android System Key Verifier app to improve the security of your conversations in messaging apps. This app ensures that the person you’re talking to is actually who they claim to be — something that could be incredibly helpful.
Android System Key Verifier will probably make people fall less for catfishing
Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) reports that the Android System Key Verifier builds on the Contacts Key feature introduced with Android 15, but it’s also compatible with devices running Android 10 or later. The app requires Google Play Services to function and may not necessarily need Android 15 to operate. While no apps currently fully use it, the app’s Play Store listing offers a glimpse of what’s in works.
How does Android System Key Verified actually work?
The Android System Key Verifier uses end-to-end encryption to secure your messages. When you add a new contact, the app stores unique encryption keys for that contact on your phone. To verify each other’s identity, both you and your contact exchange QR codes, scanning each other’s code to link and confirm the connection.
If someone changes their phone or device, the encryption keys won’t match, alerting you that the person you’re chatting with might not be the same one you originally added. In that case, you can simply scan the QR code again to update the encryption keys. This gives you the option to verify if someone is impersonating, which could help prevent falling for scams.
Additionally, Rahman dug into the *.apk file and found strings mentioning “also compare the app-specific numbers” instead of scanning a QR code. This suggests that QR codes could be accessed through the Google Contacts app by going to the Contacts settings and opening the “Your Info” page. While this feature isn’t live yet, it will be rolled out soon on Android, with Galaxy phones included, obviously.
