Google has recently updated Chrome’s Enhanced Protection feature to incorporate AI. Previously known as “proactive protection,” this feature is now called “AI-powered protection.”
The update was initially spotted and posted by X user Leopeva64.
The goal of this AI integration is to enable real-time browsing analysis to detect and respond to new, potentially harmful sites, downloads, and extensions—even those not previously flagged by Google’s systems.
When users are logged into their Google accounts, this added protection applies across all Google services, offering umbrella coverage.
Google Chrome’s New Enhanced Protection Feature
Credit: X user Leopeva64
The Enhanced Protection mode is an opt-in feature, as it involves sending data off-device to Google’s servers. This includes site URLs, page snippets, downloads, and extension activity, which can be collated across Google services if users are logged in.
While the upgrade promises improved security, it raises privacy concerns, as much of the data processed is off-device, allowing Google to store and analyse it. This is unlike Chrome’s planned on-device AI features for Android, which restrict processing to only the device on which it is configured.
In addition to Enhanced Protection, Google is also testing AI in Chrome’s tab management features on the experimental Canary version. The new ‘Group tabs with AI’ option is designed to help users automatically organise their tabs. Google aims for this feature to simplify managing multiple open tabs by suggesting ways to group or close them based on activity, with an option to review tabs inactive for over seven days.
Google Chrome’s New AI-enhanced Tab Organisation
Credit: X user Leopeva64
These changes are still in the testing phase and are expected to roll out at later dates. By integrating AI across various functions, Google is moving towards a browsing experience that is not only safer but more responsive to individual habits.
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