Chrome Unveils One-Time Permissions and Enhanced Safety Features for Improved Browsing

Google recently announced a series of new updates to its popular Chrome browser, aiming to provide users with better control over their data and improved security while navigating the web. These new features are designed to safeguard users against online threats, enhance their browsing experience, and minimize the risks associated with harmful websites and unwanted notifications.

A Step Forward in User Control and Security

With these updates, Chrome introduces a revamped Safety Check feature and the ability to grant one-time permissions for accessing sensitive resources such as the camera and microphone. These enhancements are meant to address the growing concern over privacy and the security of personal data while surfing the internet.

In a statement about the new features, Google said, “With the newest version of Chrome, you can take advantage of our upgraded Safety Check, opt out of unwanted website notifications more easily, and grant select permissions to a site for one time only.”

These improvements are part of Google’s ongoing commitment to bolstering security for its vast user base, which includes millions of Chrome users worldwide. The updates aim to strike a balance between a seamless user experience and stringent security measures.

Enhanced Safety Check: A Major Upgrade

One of the most significant updates is to Chrome’s Safety Check feature, which will now automatically run in the background, providing real-time protection without requiring any user action. Safety Check will periodically audit the user’s browser activity, automatically revoke permissions for websites that are no longer visited, and notify users about any potential security issues.

If a website is flagged as suspicious by Google Safe Browsing—a tool that warns users about unsafe sites—Safety Check will take proactive steps to protect users by revoking permissions from those sites. This feature aims to reduce the risk of phishing attacks and other types of online fraud, keeping users safer while they browse.

In addition to its automated features, Safety Check will continue to notify users of potential threats and issues that require immediate attention, such as compromised passwords, risky Chrome extensions, and outdated security settings. “On Desktop, Safety Check will notify you if you have any Chrome extensions installed that may pose a security risk to you,” said Andrew Kamau, product manager of Chrome. He explained that users would be directed to a summary panel displaying these risky extensions with quick controls to remove them if necessary.

Protection Against Data Breaches

Another key aspect of the update involves Chrome’s ability to monitor stored credentials through the Google Password Manager. If a user’s username or password is found to have been exposed in a data breach, the browser will immediately alert the user and prompt them to take action, such as updating the password or enabling two-factor authentication for enhanced security.

This is particularly valuable given the increasing frequency of data breaches that expose millions of passwords and sensitive data to cybercriminals. By incorporating this alert system directly into the browser, Google aims to prevent compromised credentials from being exploited by malicious actors.

One-Time Permissions: Privacy at the Forefront

In a bid to give users more control over their personal data, Chrome is rolling out the option to grant one-time permissions for sensitive resources like cameras, microphones, and location data. This means that users can allow a website to access these resources for a single session only, with permissions automatically revoked once the user leaves the site.

Andrew Kamau elaborated on the feature, saying, “With this feature, you can choose to grant select permissions—such as access to your camera or mic—to a site for one time only, helping you better manage your online privacy.” He added that the permissions would be revoked as soon as the user leaves the site, and the website won’t be able to access those resources again unless explicitly allowed.

This feature will be particularly useful in reducing the risk of sites retaining unnecessary permissions long after the user has left, thereby mitigating potential privacy concerns. Users will no longer have to remember to manually revoke permissions from their browser settings; instead, Chrome will do it automatically, ensuring that their sensitive resources aren’t accessible to websites without their knowledge.