Google Chrome rolls out AI tools for safer browsing, scam prevention

Google Chrome is introducing new AI-driven functionalities aimed at enhancing user safety during web browsing. These tools, presently undergoing testing, are intended to assist users in evaluating the reliability of websites and safeguarding them against fraudulent activities.

The initial feature under evaluation is termed "Store reviews." This tool leverages AI to create summaries of reviews sourced from reputable independent platforms such as Trustpilot and ScamAdvisor.

These summaries are displayed in the page information bubble, which can be accessed by clicking on the lock icon or the "i" icon adjacent to the website's URL in the address bar. This feature enables users to swiftly verify the credibility of online retailers without the need to visit numerous review websites.

In addition to the store review functionality, Google is also trialing another AI-enhanced feature designed to identify scams. Referred to as "Client Side Detection Brand and Intent for Scam Detection," this tool employs a large language model (LLM) to analyze web pages and ascertain their intent.

By examining the content, the tool evaluates whether a page corresponds with its claimed brand or purpose, thereby aiding in the detection of potential scams.

Notably, this analysis occurs on the user's device, ensuring that personal data remains confidential and is not transmitted to the cloud.

The scam detection feature is currently accessible through Chrome Canary, an experimental version of the browser. Users must manually activate it by navigating to the flags menu, where experimental features are generally located.