Google is enhancing its Chrome browser for Android by introducing AI-powered notifications that provide better protection against scams and spam. The company recently announced improvements to its Safety Check feature, which now utilizes machine learning for detecting potential threats while browsing.
The enhancements leverage the capabilities of Gemini, which allows Chrome to analyze unwanted notifications from harmful websites. Since the update to Safety Check last September, users have been receiving notifications about potential scams due to the browser’s improved background tasks and early notification alerts.
Taking security a step further, Google is rolling out local, on-device machine learning that specifically targets scams and unwanted content. When Chrome detects a malicious notification, users will see the notification’s source, an alert icon, and a warning message.
They will have the option to either unsubscribe from the notification or choose to view it. This ensures that if Chrome mistakenly labels a legitimate notification as harmful, users can still access it and correct any inaccuracies.
As these protective measures currently apply to Android, Google plans to expand this feature’s coverage in the future. The company also referenced the use of Gemini Nano in Chrome’s Enhanced Protection mode on desktop, which helps to identify and shield users from tech support scams.
This additional AI assistance provides real-time insights into risky websites, enhancing user security while browsing. Past updates to Safety Check have already included scanning for updated browser software and checking saved passwords for potential security risks.
With the significant improvements powered by Gemini and on-device machine learning, Chrome’s capacity to combat various scams and spam types continues to grow, ensuring a safer browsing experience for users.