Photos in the chat, and the photo check

How photos work

• Tap the photo button next to the message field and choose up to 4 of your photos. Each one is sent as its own message. The camera can't be used from the chat.
• Before sending, the app removes the location and other hidden data from the photo.
• Every photo is checked automatically before it's delivered. Until then you see Checking photo under it.
• The other person sees a photo only after it passed the check. They can open it full screen, but can't save or share it in the app.

Photos work in every chat, also in chats with a sitter aged 16 or 17. You don't need to turn anything on.

The automatic photo check

Google Cloud Vision SafeSearch checks each photo for sexual and violent content. The check uses no other rules. It runs for everyone and needs no setting. The network terms and the privacy policy describe it.

If a photo doesn't pass

A photo that fails the check is not delivered, and the other person never sees it. You see a short message under it. The check is automated and can make mistakes, so you can tap Ask for a human review.

If a photo may show a child at risk, we keep it, a member of our safety team may look at it, and we may report it to the police.

Stay careful

• Think twice before you share photos of children or of ID documents with someone you haven't met.
• Don't send photos of phone numbers or other contact details. Swap them in person when you meet.
• If you get a photo that should not have reached you, open it, tap the menu and choose Report photo. If you report it as inappropriate or sexual, it's hidden for both of you at once.
• Photos are deleted with the conversation, at the latest 24 months after they were sent.