Google deploys Gemini Nano in Chrome to protect users from online scams
Google is deploying advanced AI tools across Search, Chrome, and Android to detect and block online scams more effectively. The tech giant announced on Wednesday, May 8, that it will be integrating its on-device large language model (LLM) called Gemini Nano with the desktop version of its Chrome browser to act as an additional layer of defence against online scams. It will be expanded to Android devices in the future.
Enhanced Protection Mode
Gemini Nano will be used to improve the Enhanced Protection mode of Safe Browsing on Chrome. Google stated, “The on-device approach provides instant insight on risky websites and allows us to offer protection, even against scams that haven’t been seen before. Gemini Nano’s LLM is perfect for this use because of its ability to distill the varied, complex nature of websites, helping us adapt to new scam tactics more quickly.”
The company mentioned that it was already using the AI-enhanced approach to address remote tech support scams.
AI-Powered Warnings
Google also announced that it will start displaying AI-powered warnings to Chrome and Android users. When Chrome’s on-device machine learning model flags a notification, users will receive a warning with the option to either unsubscribe or view the content that was blocked. Users can also choose to allow future notifications from that website if they believe the warning was shown incorrectly.
Google has been leveraging AI to detect and block online scams for several years now. AI is used to block millions of scammy search results on Google Search daily. These AI-powered systems scan vast quantities of text on the web, identify coordinated scam campaigns, and detect emerging threats.
For example, Google has observed a significant increase in bad actors on the web impersonating airline customer service providers and scamming people in need of help. Using AI, the company has reduced these types of airline customer service scams by more than 80% in Search. AI has also enabled Google to identify 20 times more scam web pages than before.
To address scam calls and messages, Google has rolled out on-device, AI-powered Scam Detection in Google Messages and Phone by Google on Android devices.
