Google Chrome is testing a new AI tool that scans for scams to help save you from online trickery
Date:
Fri, 20 Dec 2024 18:04:20 +0000
Description:
Google Chrome is testing an on-device AI tool to detect scams in the hope of enhancing online safety while maintaining user privacy.
FULL STORY ======================================================================Google Chrome is testing a new AI-powered scam detection feature It seemingly uses
an on-device Large Language Model (LLM) to maintain user privacy AI-driven safety tools, including scam detection, help to fight the rise of AI-powered threats online
The worlds most popular browser, Google Chrome , is experimenting with a new AI -powered tool designed to help you avoid online scams.
The feature is currently being tested and apparently uses AI tech, specifically a Large Language Model (LLM) on the device, to analyze web pages and determine if they seem suspicious or scam-related.
This development was spotted by Leopeva64 on X, who regularly highlights web browser features which are being tested. What they actually discovered was a flag that can be enabled called Client Side Detection Brand and Intent for Scam Detection, which is present in the latest version of Chromes
experimental browser, Canary. It looks like Chrome will also use AI to detect scams, there's a new flag in Canary that suggests
this:
https://t.co/uQb84zbqeW pic.twitter.com/7CyK5y4gtO December 19, 2024
The new flag leverages an on-device LLM to investigate the content of any given web page and figure out what it's trying to do, and whether that
content falls in line with the websites supposed purpose or brand.
This is explained in the flags description, which reads: Enables on-device
LLM (large language model) output on pages to inquire for brand and intent of the page. (Image credit: Robinraj Premchand from Pixabay) On device is key to privacy
One key detail about this process is that it uses an on-device LLM, which means that the analysis of web pages happens on your device (as opposed to in the cloud somewhere, which would involve sending your browsing data to a third-party). In short, this means your data will stay private.
To try this feature out, you would have to install the latest Google Chrome Canary release, which is not something Id generally recommend, unless youre really keen (if so, you can follow Neowins advice on how to enable the new flag).
This is the latest in a series of AI-powered tools coming to Chrome, which also includes a Store reviews feature thats currently in testing. This capability uses AI to summarize reviews from platforms like Trustpilot or ScamAdvisor, helping users quickly check if an online store is reliable.
As ever, we dont know if features in testing will make it through to release, but its likely these will - Google is keen on building out AI powers for its browser, and I expect well see this scam warning system rolled out before too long. Unless the Google Chrome team finds some good reasons to go back to the drawing board.
Even though Chrome is the dominant web browser by a long way, Google shouldnt rest on its laurels, and I think its very savvy of the company to keep improving its browser to stay in pole position. And with scammers and hostile actors now having AI-powered tools at their disposal, its good to see Google (hopefully) bringing LLMs in to help defend Chrome users from the unwanted attention of these nefarious types. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Satya Nadella claims Google "makes more money on Windows than all of Microsoft" Google
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/computing/browsers/google-chrome-is-testing-a-new-ai -tool-that-scans-for-scams-to-help-save-you-from-online-trickery
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