Technology

Google’s New Security Tool to Protect You from Online Scams

  • June 18, 2025
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In a significant move to reinforce digital safety across India, Google has launched a comprehensive initiative under its newly announced Google Safety Charter. This major announcement was made

Google’s New Security Tool to Protect You from Online Scams

In a significant move to reinforce digital safety across India, Google has launched a comprehensive initiative under its newly announced Google Safety Charter. This major announcement was made during the Safer with Google India Summit held on Tuesday, reflecting Google’s long-term commitment to empowering users, businesses, and governments with advanced digital safety tools and practices. The Safety Charter is part of Google’s global effort to create a secure digital ecosystem and is tailored to address the unique challenges faced by Indian users.

The Core Goals of the Google Safety Charter

Google’s Safety Charter for India has been built on three primary pillars, each targeting a critical aspect of digital safety:

  1. Protecting Internet Users from Scams and Online Frauds
  2. Strengthening Cybersecurity Infrastructure for Governments and Corporates
  3. Promoting the Development of Responsible AI Systems That Ensure User Safety

Through this initiative, Google aims to reduce the rising cases of online scams, phishing attacks, and data breaches that are affecting millions of individuals and organizations in India.

‘DigiKavach’ – The Driving Force Behind the Mission

At the heart of this safety charter lies the ‘DigiKavach’ program, a nationwide initiative that is playing a crucial role in educating users and deploying AI-based tools to combat online fraud. According to Google, more than 177 million Indians have already benefited from the awareness campaigns and AI-powered tools introduced through DigiKavach.

The impact of this initiative has been profound. Google’s AI capabilities in Search are now 20 times more effective at identifying scam websites than before. Additionally, scams targeting customer service and government platforms have witnessed a reduction of 80% and 70%, respectively.

Messaging and Payment Protection


One of the most targeted areas by scammers has been messaging and digital payments. Google has introduced enhanced protective measures in both domains:

  • Google Messages is now blocking over 500 million scam messages every month, significantly reducing the risk of users falling for SMS frauds and fake service links.
  • Google Pay, one of India’s most widely used payment platforms, has issued over 41 million fraud alerts to users. These alerts have prevented frauds totaling ₹13,000 crore (approx. $1.56 billion) in 2024 alone.

By using real-time AI models, Google Pay has been able to proactively detect suspicious transaction behavior and alert users before money changes hands.

App and Email Security Enhancements

When it comes to Android and Gmail security, Google has made groundbreaking progress:

Gmail, used by billions worldwide including millions in India, now automatically blocks more than 99.9% of spam, phishing, and malware attacks. The system uses AI to identify even the most subtle attempts to deceive users, ensuring that dangerous content is filtered out before it reaches the inbox.

Google Play Protect, which was fully activated in India from October 2024, has stopped nearly 60 million installations of harmful or malicious apps across 13 million devices. This has helped protect users from apps that steal data, install spyware, or access sensitive information.

Strengthening Cybersecurity at a Broader Scale

Google’s role in cybersecurity is no longer limited to user-facing tools. The company is now investing heavily in predictive threat detection using AI, which enables it to identify emerging cyber threats before they become widespread.

This intelligence is being shared with government agencies and corporate partners, allowing them to proactively secure their infrastructure. In collaboration with DeepMind, Google’s elite Project Zero team has also identified major vulnerabilities in widely-used software platforms like SQLite, long before they could be exploited by hackers.

This preemptive approach is helping create a safer digital environment across India’s public and private sectors.

Investment and Strategic Partnerships

As part of its long-term vision, Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has committed $20 million to the Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Fund, with $5 million allocated to The Asia Foundation. This funding will directly benefit India and neighboring countries by:

  • Establishing 10 cyber clinics across the region
  • Collaborating with Indian universities to train students and small businesses in digital safety
  • Promoting awareness about safe online behavior in underserved communities

In addition, Google has partnered with IIT Madras to advance research in post-quantum cryptography, a futuristic technology that prepares for the next wave of cyber threats once quantum computing becomes mainstream. This collaboration will equip Indian institutions with the knowledge and tools to handle next-generation cybersecurity challenges.

Google’s Vision for a Digitally Secure India

Preeti Lobana, Country Manager for Google India, emphasized that building user trust is essential for India’s digital progress. She said, “India’s digital future depends on how secure and confident users feel while engaging online. With initiatives like the Safety Charter, we’re not only protecting users but also enabling them to thrive in the digital economy.”

Heather Adkins, Google’s Vice President of Security Engineering, added, “AI is now capable of identifying fraud patterns we’ve never seen before. Its ability to learn quickly and respond even faster gives us a much-needed edge over cyber attackers.”

Together, their statements highlight Google’s evolving role — not just as a search and tech provider, but as a digital safety leader committed to India’s secure digital growth.

Conclusion

Google’s Safety Charter for India is more than just a technology initiative — it’s a bold step toward reshaping the country’s digital landscape. By leveraging artificial intelligence, strategic investments, and cross-sector collaboration, Google is helping to create a safer internet for everyone in India.

From preventing fraud worth billions to training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, this initiative is comprehensive, impactful, and future-ready.

As India continues its rapid digital transformation, initiatives like the Google Safety Charter will play a pivotal role in ensuring that progress is inclusive, responsible, and above all, safe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Google Safety Charter?

The Google Safety Charter is a digital safety initiative launched by Google to strengthen cybersecurity in India. It focuses on protecting users from online fraud, securing government and corporate digital infrastructure, and promoting responsible AI development.

2. When was the Safety Charter announced?

Google announced the Safety Charter during the ‘Safer with Google India Summit’ held in June 2025.

3. What are the main goals of the Safety Charter?

The Charter focuses on three key objectives:
* Safeguarding internet users from scams and frauds
* Enhancing cybersecurity for governments and organizations
* Developing AI systems that prioritize safety and ethical use

4. What is the DigiKavach program?

DigiKavach is an AI-driven awareness and protection initiative by Google. It plays a key role in the Safety Charter by helping identify scam websites, running awareness campaigns, and reducing fraud on platforms like Google Pay and Search.

5. How many people have benefited from DigiKavach so far?

Over 177 million Indians have been reached through DigiKavach’s AI-based tools and awareness programs.


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