Enhanced Protection boosts safety for millions of phones

Google Chrome's Enhanced Protection promises AI driven safety for Android and iPhone users, while inviting scrutiny over data use.

Enhanced Protection boosts safety for millions of phones

Chrome users on Android and iPhone can enable Enhanced Protection under Safe Browsing with five taps. The feature uses AI to spot dangerous sites and downloads, even if Google hasn’t labeled them yet, and it can scan suspicious downloads for malware.

Google says enabling Enhanced Protection does not slow devices, and users can switch back to Standard Protection or No Protection, though the last option is discouraged. Google also notes that Safe Browsing may collect data such as the URL, a small sample of page content, extension activity and system information to check for threats, and that this data is used only for safety purposes.

The move signals a broader shift toward proactive security in browsers. AI checks can cut scams and malware, but they require sharing more data, sparking questions about privacy and consent.

Adoption will hinge on trust and clarity. If users feel their data is guarded and controls are easy to understand, Enhanced Protection could become a standard feature rather than a niche option. If not, people may disable it or switch away.

Highlights

The safety tools will continue to evolve as threats change.