- Google Chrome is testing a new AI-powered scam detection feature
- It apparently uses a Large Language Model (LLM) on the device to maintain user privacy
- AI-powered security tools, including fraud detection, help combat the rise of AI-powered online threats
The world’s most popular browser, Google Chrome, is experimenting with a new AI-powered tool designed to help you avoid online scams.
The feature is currently in testing and apparently uses AI technology, specifically a Large Language Model (LLM) on the device, to analyze web pages and determine whether they appear suspicious or related to a scam.
This development was spotted by Leopeva64 on X, who regularly highlights the features of web browsers under test. What they actually discovered was an enableable flag called “Client Side Detection Brand and Intent for Scam Detection,” which is present in the latest version of Chrome’s experimental browser, Canary.
It looks like Chrome will also use AI to detect scams, there’s a new flag in Canary Islands suggesting this:https://t.co/uQb84zbqeW pic.twitter.com/7CyK5y4gtODecember 19, 2024
The new flag uses an on-device LLM to examine the content of a particular web page and figure out what it is trying to do, and whether that content is consistent with the website’s supposed purpose or brand.
This is explained in the flag’s description, which reads: “Enables on-device large language model (LLM) output on pages to inquire about the brand and intent of the page.”
On-device is the key to privacy
An important detail about this process is that it uses an on-device LLM, meaning the analysis of web pages takes place on your device (as opposed to somewhere in the cloud, where your browsing data is sent to a third party). . In short, this means that your data remains private.
To try out this feature you’ll need to install the latest version of Google Chrome Canary, which I generally wouldn’t recommend unless you’re really excited about it (if so, you can follow this Neowin’s 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 that is currently in testing. This capability uses AI to summarize reviews from platforms like Trustpilot or ScamAdvisor, allowing users to quickly check whether an online store is trustworthy.
As always, we don’t know if the test features will make it to release, but it’s likely they will. Google is keen to build out AI capabilities for its browser, and I expect to see this scam alert system rolled out. for too long. Unless the Google Chrome team finds good reasons to go back to the drawing board.
While Chrome is by far the dominant web browser, Google shouldn’t rest on its laurels, and I think it’s very smart of the company to keep improving its browser to stay in pole position. And with scammers and hostile actors now having AI-powered tools, it’s good to see Google (hopefully) enabling LLMs to protect Chrome users from the unwanted attention of these nefarious types.