If you’ve ever clicked a link and suddenly been hit with a pop-up warning that your device has a virus, you’re not alone. These fake “tech support” scams are everywhere — and now, Google is stepping up its efforts to stop them using artificial intelligence.

In a recent blog post, Google announced it’s rolling out a new AI-powered safety feature in Chrome that can identify and flag scam websites the moment you click on them. The tool uses a lightweight version of its Gemini AI model, known as Gemini Nano, which runs directly on your device. That means faster detection and enhanced privacy — no need to send your data to the cloud.

How It Works

When users enable Chrome’s “enhanced protection” mode on desktop, Gemini Nano kicks in to scan web pages in real-time. If the AI detects something suspicious, like a cloaked phishing site or a deceptive tech support scam, it will trigger a warning screen — giving users the option to back out before falling into a trap.

This is part of a broader AI-driven push across Google’s platforms — including Chrome, Search, and Android — to combat the growing sophistication of online scams.

Why It Matters

Online scammers have become increasingly effective thanks to AI, which allows them to generate convincing fake content at scale. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, consumers lost more than $1 trillion to scams in the past year alone.

“Fighting scammers has always been a cat-and-mouse game,” said Phiroze Parakh, senior director of engineering for Google Search. “Now, both sides have AI tools — the question is who uses them more effectively.”

Other Key Updates from Google:

• Android Alerts: Android users will now get warnings if scammy sites try to send them suspicious Chrome notifications — and they’ll be able to unsubscribe with a single tap.
• Search Protection: Google says AI now blocks 20 times more scammy websites from appearing in search results than it did just a few years ago. In 2024 alone, the company removed hundreds of millions of scam pages every day.
• Airline Scam Crackdown: One major success involved fake customer service numbers in airline-related searches. Thanks to AI, Google has reduced these types of scams by 80%.

The Bigger Picture

Google isn’t alone in this AI-powered battle. Other companies are also leveraging smart technology to fight fraud:

• UK mobile carrier O2 uses a chatbot named Daisy to tie up phone scammers’ time.
• Microsoft has tested a tool that listens in on phone calls to detect fraud in real time.
• The U.S. Treasury Department says AI helped recover $1 billion in check fraud in 2024 alone.

With scams evolving fast, companies are racing to stay one step ahead — and it looks like AI may finally give defenders an edge.

Source: CNN – Google is using AI to identify scammy websites on Chrome when you click on them

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The U.S. Justice Department has ramped up its efforts to break up Google, filing a new proposal that would force the tech giant to divest its crucial digital ad technology. This bold move follows a federal judge’s recent ruling that Google’s advertising practices have been stifling competition. The new legal battle over Google’s ad technology adds to the ongoing pressure from the government, which is also pushing to separate Google’s Chrome browser from its search engine dominance.

The Latest Legal Twist: A Call for Dismantling Google’s Ad Network

Filed in Virginia federal court on Monday, the Justice Department’s proposal seeks to have Google offload its AdX business and DFP ad platform—key technologies that connect advertisers with publishers who sell digital ad space. These tools, which are central to Google’s digital ad network, are at the heart of the government’s argument that Google has been using its market power to unfairly suppress competition.

In its 17-page filing, the Justice Department asked U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema to impose significant restrictions on Google. This includes a proposed 10-year ban on Google from running a digital ad exchange, in an effort to undercut the company’s dominance in the online advertising space.

The move comes just weeks after a federal judge ruled that Google’s ad network violated antitrust laws, but the case is far from over. Google has already signaled its intent to appeal, but the legal battle will continue through the upcoming remedy hearings, scheduled for September.

Google’s Response: Dire Warnings and Counterproposals

Unsurprisingly, Google is fighting back. The company has slammed the Justice Department’s proposal, claiming it would “cause economic chaos” and harm millions of advertisers and publishers. Google argues that dismantling its ad network would destabilize the entire digital advertising ecosystem, degrading the online experience for users.

In its counterproposal, Google suggests a less drastic solution—appointing a trustee to oversee its ad network for three years to ensure more transparency and foster competition. While the company’s plan seeks to address some of the government’s concerns, it falls short of the Justice Department’s demand for a more comprehensive breakup.

A Double Blow: Ad Network and Search Engine Scrutiny

This latest attempt to break up Google’s advertising operations is part of a larger legal assault on the company. The Justice Department is also pushing for the separation of Google’s search engine and Chrome browser, which was also ruled to be an illegal monopoly by another federal judge last August.

If the Justice Department’s proposed breakups are approved, it would mark the largest corporate breakup in the U.S. since the 1980s when AT&T was forced to split into seven regional companies. Given that Google’s search engine and ad network are at the core of its business—generating billions in revenue—this proposed breakup could have far-reaching implications.

The Stakes: A $265 Billion Business and an Evolving Market

Google’s dominance in search and digital advertising remains formidable, with its parent company, Alphabet, generating a whopping $265 billion in revenue last year. However, the company faces increasing challenges, including new legal battles and the rise of artificial intelligence, which is reshaping how consumers interact with technology and search for information online.

Despite these hurdles, Alphabet remains a corporate powerhouse, valued at $2 trillion. Yet, the ongoing antitrust cases threaten to disrupt its core business operations, forcing Google to adapt to a changing tech landscape.

What’s Next: Will Google’s Digital Empire Survive the Breakup?

As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the upcoming remedy hearings in September, which will determine whether the courts will impose the government’s proposed breakup. If the Justice Department gets its way, it would set a major precedent for how the U.S. government deals with monopolistic practices in the tech industry.

For now, Google is preparing for the long haul, even as it faces the potential loss of its advertising and search empires. Stay tuned for what could become a landmark moment in the fight against tech monopolies.

Source: AP News – US expands attempt to blow up Google with proposed teardown of its ad technology

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In a 23-page document filed on Wednesday, the Justice Department proposed that Google sell its leading Chrome web browser and restrict its Android operating system to prevent it from unfairly promoting its search engine. The recommended breakup and changes come in the wake of a ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in August, which deemed Google a monopolist.

The push for these drastic measures highlights the seriousness with which the Biden administration’s regulators are treating the issue. However, the case could face changes under the next administration, with President-elect Donald Trump potentially appointing officials who may be less aggressive in their approach. Court hearings for Google’s penalty are set to begin in April, with Judge Mehta aiming to make a final ruling before Labor Day.

If Mehta agrees to the Justice Department’s recommendations, Google is almost certain to appeal, which would likely delay the case further. The proposed penalties include a spinoff of Google’s Chrome browser and further restrictions on its Android software, as well as a ban on deals that make Google’s search engine the default on Apple’s iPhones and other devices.

Additionally, regulators are calling for Google to share data it collects from users’ search queries with competitors, allowing them a better chance to compete. These moves could disrupt Google’s $300 billion business, which has contributed significantly to the profits of its parent company, Alphabet Inc.

The Justice Department argues that Google’s actions have created an unfair advantage that has skewed the playing field, with the company benefiting from illegal gains. “The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages,” the department said in its filing.

There’s still a possibility that the Justice Department could scale back its efforts, particularly if Trump replaces Jonathan Kanter, who was appointed by Biden to head the antitrust division. Although the case was originally filed during Trump’s first term, Kanter has overseen the trial and led the charge against Big Tech, including cases against companies like Apple. Trump has expressed concerns that breaking up Google could harm the company, but he has not offered an alternative plan.

The recent filing marks the Justice Department’s final chance to propose measures needed to restore competition in the search industry. It follows an earlier outline of potential penalties and has raised questions about whether the proposed breakup extends beyond the scope of the original trial and Mehta’s ruling.

One key issue addressed in Mehta’s decision was Google’s multibillion-dollar deals to keep its search engine as the default option on major platforms, like Apple’s iPhone. The Justice Department has proposed measures to stop these deals, which Google spends more than $26 billion annually to maintain.

However, it remains uncertain whether Judge Mehta will accept the idea of separating Chrome from Google or unbundling Android from the company’s other services. Some experts have compared this case to Microsoft’s antitrust case from 25 years ago, in which a court initially ordered a breakup of the company for using its Windows operating system to suppress competition. However, that decision was overturned on appeal, and experts believe that precedent could influence Mehta’s approach to the Google case.

Source

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