Google Announces New Privacy, Safety and Security Features Across Its Services

May 10, 2023Ravie LakshmananPrivacy / Safety / Security

Google unveiled many new privacy, safety, and security features today at its annual developer conference, Google I/O. The tech giant’s latest initiative is aimed at protecting its users from cyberthreats, including phishing attacks and malicious websites, while providing more control and transparency over their personal data.

Here is a short list of newly introduced features –

• Improved data control and transparency
• Gmail Dark Web Scan Report
• Easily delete Map Browsing History
• AI Powered Safe Browsing
• Content Safety API expansion
• About this Image
• Spam view in Google Drive

Among the newly introduced features, first on the list is increased data control and transparency. Google has rolled out an update to its Android operating system that allows users to better control location sharing through apps installed on their devices.

“Starting with location data, you’ll be notified in a permission request when an app is sharing your information with third parties for advertising purposes,” said Jen Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of core systems and experiences.

“You can use this information to decide whether you want to approve or reject location sharing for each app so you’re always in control.”

In addition, the company said it is extending its dark web report to all users with Gmail accounts in the US to be warned if their sensitive data is circulating on sites not indexed by search engines.

Features, which were originally available for Google One subscribers in March 2023, it will be possible to scan the dark web for personally identifiable information such as name, address, email, phone number, and Social Security number, and search for appropriate guidance.

The third privacy-focused option rolled out by the tech giant is the ability to delete recent searches from Maps with a single tap instead of deleting the Maps search history from Web & App Activity.

Other notable features include the new Safe Browsing API and Spam view in Google Drive which is similar to Gmail and automatically segregates potentially dangerous files or abusive content, which can then be reviewed by the user.

The search giant further says it’s expanding it Content Security API to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in video content, along with debut “About This Image” a tool that offers users with more context to ensure reliable access to reliable information.

“‘About this Image’ gives you important context such as when an image or similar images were first indexed by Google, where it first appeared, and where else it was seen online such as news, social, or fact-checking sites,” Fitzpatrick said.

The update comes a week after Google enabled passwordless sign-in using passkeys on Google Accounts across all platforms.

Last month, the tech giant also enacted a new data wipe policy that requires app developers to offer “easy-to-find options” to users from both within apps and outside of them.