Samsung is addressing both in two key ways: by designing Galaxy AI experiences with built-in safeguards that protect user data from the ground up, and by applying AI to strengthen mobile security and privacy protections. While both approaches are essential, building AI that handles data responsibly remains the most urgent priority.

Transparency and choice are the principles driving this work. That’s where Galaxy’s intuitive, easy-to-use privacy settings come in, helping you understand what data is used in AI processing, how it’s handled, and how you can control it. These protections empower you to make your own rules for your mobile experience — and to stay safe while you do.

Advanced Settings for Advanced AI

This freedom of choice comes into play for Galaxy AI experiences. With AI increasingly becoming a part of what we do, it’s only natural to want more control over how your personal data is used in relation to it. Enter Galaxy AI privacy safeguards: a set of policies and protections that go above and beyond to make sure you’re informed and protected when leveraging Galaxy AI.

One of the ways we champion user control is through our powerful suite of AI tools that can operate on-device, keeping your data securely in your hands. Whether you’re using communication tools like Live Translate and Interpreter to break down language barriers, or editing tools like Audio Eraser¹ to stretch the limits of creativity, inputs are kept within the confines of your phone. These features offer a safe, responsive mobile experience that runs directly on your device, right at your fingertips — working alongside Galaxy AI’s privacy protections to give you greater visibility and control over your data.

Since launching Galaxy AI, our vision has been driven by a commitment to openness and user choice. That’s why we chose a hybrid approach, introducing a powerful combination of on-device and cloud-based AI. This ensures seamless usability and allows users to benefit from the full power of AI for even the most complex tasks. Advanced features such as Generative Edit² offer on-device capabilities and also tap into cloud-based AI as needed for more processing-intensive edits. With Galaxy, all AI experiences are designed with your privacy in mind — even those that utilize remote servers. No matter what feature or what settings you choose, personal data is never stored long-term or used for AI training — whether processed on-device or on the cloud. Plus, with Advanced Intelligence settings³, managing your privacy is as simple as tapping a button. You can even choose how your personal information is processed, including the option to disable online processing for AI features.

Privacy is the foundation of Galaxy AI, and thanks to our growing list of on-device AI features alongside powerful settings options, so is user control.

Intuitive Controls for Enhanced Visibility

In addition to AI-powered features, it’s critical that selecting privacy settings be easy and intuitive, no matter which mobile experience you choose. Galaxy’s Security and Privacy dashboard enables ultimate control over your data, including who sees it and how it is used, with a fool-proof interface. You can do it all — from viewing and updating app permissions, controls and data-sharing functions, to identifying which data could be at risk through intuitive safety status icons. With Permission Usage, you can even keep track of which apps may have recently accessed your data. This level of behind-the-curtain visibility across settings is unique to Galaxy, making it easier than ever to see how all Galaxy experiences are secured and built to function according to your preferences.

Another cornerstone of Galaxy privacy settings is Auto Blocker, a key feature that empowers you to secure your mobile devices without sacrificing usability. Auto Blocker protects your device by checking for malware and other security threats, while blocking malicious activity. It prevents unauthorized app installations, blocks commands and updates via USB, and mitigates zero click attacks with Message Guard.

For those looking for an even stronger line of defense against today’s cyber threats, Maximum Restrictions⁴ offers an additional suite of device protections. These added measures offer an extra layer of user control, giving you the choice to block 2G service and prevent data from being intercepted when connected to unsafe networks. They also prevent unintended automatic reconnection to certain Wi-Fi networks that may be less secure.

^[1] Results may vary per video depending on sounds present in the video. Samsung Account login is required. Certain types of sound can be detected such as voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. The actual sound detection may vary depending on audio source and the condition of the video. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

^[2] Generative Edit feature for Photo Assist requires a network connection and Samsung Account login. Editing with Generative Edit may result in a resized photo. A visible watermark is overlaid on the image output upon saving in order to indicate that the image was generated by AI. The accuracy and reliability of the generated output is not guaranteed.

^[3] Availability may vary by device model, OS and/or market.

^[4] Maximum Restrictions prevents automatic, unintended reconnection to less secure networks, which may include Open, Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). This protects users from device traffic that may be exposed or intercepted.

Almost every day we hear of a cybersecurity threat affecting everything from consumers to businesses and organisations. These threats can create risks within networks, data and devices, and the number of incidents has risen exponentially. We already know that these threats come in multiple forms such as malware or phishing attacks — but they are often invisible to the victim until it’s too late.

Our powerful Galaxy security solutions provide multiple ways to protect you from these cybersecurity threats by securing your device and helping control your privacy. Auto Blocker and Message Guard are two of these safeguards.

Auto Blocker

Auto Blocker is all about choice — providing an opt-in package of additional security measures so that you are completely in control to choose whether you want to explore the customisations enabled by Galaxy’s ecosystem. Auto Blocker will protect your Galaxy device and personal data by preventing app installations from unauthorised sources. The feature will also check for malware and other cybersecurity threats, immediately blocking any malicious activity that could come as a result.

One example of Auto Blocker in action is the prevention of what many people call sideloading, or downloading apps from unverified sources. There are numerous benefits to intentional sideloading, such as added customisations to your phone. But if you do not typically sideload, this feature will provide extra peace of mind and stall potential attacks that can come in the form of social engineering fraud like voice phishing — in which threat actors trick you over the phone and talk you into installing malicious software.

The extra level of protection that Auto Blocker provides also stops harmful commands from entering your physical USB port — which could come in handy when charging your phone through an outlet at a public space like an airport.

Turning on Auto Blocker is a quick and simple process that takes less than a minute. Open Settings, go to Security and Privacy, then tap Auto Blocker and select On.

Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker

Message Guard

Cybersecurity threats come in many forms, and each year they become even more sophisticated. One threat that is becoming increasingly common is the zero-click attack, which exploits vulnerabilities in your device software. This can take place any time an image is received and does not require any action whatsoever on the user’s part.

For instance, your phone receives an image and vibrates gently in your pocket or on your bedside table before going still. You haven’t touched your phone or facilitated any input, but someone may already be reading your messages, browsing your gallery or copying your bank details.

Samsung’s Message Guard will neutralise any potential threats that might be hiding in the image before it has a chance to do any harm by effectively trapping the file in an isolated space on your device. While the image is put into quarantine, Samsung Message Guard checks the file bit by bit — processing it in a controlled environment to prevent infection to the rest of your device

Message Guard works with a range of popular messaging apps that you probably already use, from Google and Samsung apps to Messenger, Telegram and WhatsApp. You don’t need to worry about initiating the process either since Message Guard runs silently and effectively 24/7 in the background without needing to be activated in any way.

Settings > Security and privacy > Auto Blocker > Messaging app protection

Although there is no doubt that cybersecurity threats will continue to evolve and become increasingly common, Samsung’s priority is to always keep you safe because privacy can only be assured with strong security. However you choose to live your life, Galaxy is there — watching your back and ensuring you stay in control.

Security Updates for Longer

While it’s important to have robust security features, it is also crucial to keep them up to date so you are protected against the latest threats. That’s why Samsung is providing up to seven years of security updates and seven years of operating system upgrades, starting with the Galaxy S24 series.^[1] This is the longest period of software support currently available for mobile devices, allowing users to keep their phones safely and more reliably for longer.

^[1] Availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model and market.