Google announced a host of new security features at its annual developer conference which includes privacy and security updates, including support for virtual credit cards on Android and Chrome.
Google is rolling out new products and services to help improve users’ security and to protect their privacy.
The company is introducing a new virtual card tool that can be used across Android devices and in the Chrome browser on Mac or PC. It is separate from Google Pay, and once a card is added to the service, a virtual card number will be given to the vendor whenever the user makes a purchase online.
Google’s Jen Fitzpatrick stated that while the user uses autofill to enter the payment details at checkout, virtual cards will add an additional layer of security by replacing the actual card number with a distinct, virtual number.
The main aim is to keep payment information safe and secure during online shopping and protect users from skimming attacks in which the cybercriminals inject malicious JavaScript code to steal credit card numbers and sell them on the black market.
In the event of a data breach, the virtual card number can be replaced, and the user does not have to replace their physical card.
The new feature is expected to roll out in the U.S. for Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Capital One cards starting this summer.
The development comes a week after Google, Apple, and Microsoft jointly decided to accelerate support for a common passwordless sign-in standard that allows “websites and apps to offer consistent, secure, and easy passwordless sign-ins to consumers across devices and platforms.”
Google is also expanding phishing protections in Google Workspace to Docs, Slides and Sheets, and it also has plans to introduce a new “My Ad Center” that will allow users to provide feedback about the ads they see while using various Google products. It gives users more control over personalized ads on YouTube, Search, and Discover feed.
The users would also have option to request personally identifiable information such as email, phone number, or home address to be removed from search results through a new tool that will be accessible from the Google App. Using this tool you can flag the data and once flagged, Google will evaluate it and remove any unwanted and potentially harmful information.
Another new tool that is expected is a new Account Safety Status setting that will show up as a yellow circle around your profile’s avatar, letting you know there is something that needs your attention.
Other key privacy and security features unveiled at Google I/O 2022 include support for end-to-end encryption for group conversations in the Messages app for Android and the availability of on-device encryption for Google Password Manager.
Comments