Google has announced a new set of privacy and security features for its Chrome browser, designed to give users more control over their data and protect against online threats. Among the key updates is an upgraded Safety Check, which now runs automatically in the background, revoking website permissions for unused sites and flagging potentially harmful notifications.
The updated Safety Check tool alerts users to potential security issues that need attention, while also revoking notification permissions from sites flagged as suspicious by Google Safe Browsing. This automated feature is also capable of notifying users about risky Chrome extensions, offering quick removal options through a new summary panel.
In addition to monitoring extensions, the Safety Check feature can warn users if their username or password stored in the Google Password Manager has been compromised in a data breach.
Google has also made it easier for users to manage website notifications. Both Pixel and Android devices now offer the option to unsubscribe from unwanted notifications directly from the notification drawer. Another notable feature is the ability to grant one-time permissions for websites, such as access to the camera or microphone, on both Android and Desktop versions of Chrome. Once users leave the site, these permissions are automatically revoked.
According to Andrew Kamau, Chrome's product manager, "With this feature, you can better manage your online privacy. Sites won’t be able to access your permissions unless you explicitly grant them again."
These updates are part of Google's ongoing efforts to strengthen user privacy and security while browsing the internet.
