Google’s New Security Features: Protecting You from the Dark Web and Beyond

Google has announced a range of new security features to help better protect users of its products and services. One of the key new features is the expansion of its “dark web report” feature to all Gmail accounts in the US. This feature scans to check if your Gmail address is appearing on the dark web and advises on steps that users can take to bolster their online security. Personal information, such as email addresses, can find its way onto the dark web as a result of data breaches at services and platforms you may be signed up for, leaving users vulnerable to identity theft, banking fraud, and phishing scams.

While Google’s dark web reporting tool is not new, it was previously only available to subscribers of Google One, the company’s cloud storage platform. However, the tool will now be available to all Gmail users in the US, and eventually to select international markets, though it is not clear which countries will get access.

The report will instruct users on how to secure their acount if the scan flags up that their email address was found on the dark web. Image: Google

Google is also expanding spam protections found in Gmail to Google Drive, with a new view that makes it easier to designate spam content. Drive will automatically classify obvious offenders into the spam view to prevent users from accidentally accessing any “unwanted or abusive content.” Additionally, Google is making it easier to delete search history in Google Maps, by adding the ability to delete recent searches directly within Maps with a single tap.

Furthermore, Google is bolstering security services used by other platforms and organizations. Google’s Content Safety API, which is used by companies like Facebook and Yubo to identify and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from the web, is being expanded to include video content. This feature was previously managed by CSAI Match, YouTube’s proprietary technology for detecting CSAM in online videos.

Remember your workplace security training videos: never open suspicious files! Image: Google

Google has not provided exact release dates for many of these features, but they will be rolling out in the coming weeks and months. These updates show Google’s commitment to improving the security and privacy of its users, and it is encouraging to see these efforts being made to address growing concerns about cybercrime and online privacy.

Overall, Google’s new security features demonstrate the company’s commitment to protecting its users and their personal information. With the expansion of the “dark web report” feature, users can now be alerted if their email address has been compromised in a data breach, and take steps to improve their online security. Additionally, the expansion of spam protections to Google Drive, and easier search history deletion in Google Maps, will further enhance users’ control over their online experiences.

The expansion of Google’s Content Safety API to include video content is also a positive step in the fight against online child sexual abuse material. These new features and updates will undoubtedly provide greater peace of mind to Google’s users, and showcase the company’s ongoing efforts to prioritize user privacy and security.

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