Key Points:
- Users are receiving encrypted spam-like messages through Google Messages.
- These messages originate from unknown senders and cannot be decrypted.
- The issue may stem from a malfunctioning spambot.
Google Messages users have reported receiving strange, encrypted texts that resemble spam. These messages, encoded through Rich Communication Services (RCS), which typically enhances security and privacy via end-to-end encryption, now appear as indecipherable gibberish. The influx of such messages has triggered widespread concern.
Several Reddit users have expressed frustration over these cryptic messages, which appear to be genuine yet undecryptable texts from unknown sources, often from foreign countries. A two-year-old Reddit thread has seen a surge of similar complaints, indicating that the problem is now widespread.
Experts speculate that a rogue spambot might be the culprit. This bot could be malfunctioning, causing encrypted messages to fail during the decryption process. Despite the messages containing legitimate links to Google’s support pages, their sudden proliferation raises suspicions of an underlying spam or scam attempt.
Until Google addresses this issue, users are advised to remain cautious. Do not interact with these messages; instead, use Google Messages’ built-in reporting tool to flag them. This precautionary measure will help safeguard personal information while the root cause is investigated.
Received an Encrypted text message
byu/Sunflowerseeds8o8 inGooglePixel
