Google will blur explicit images in search results by default

Whatever your opinion of Google, it offers a good set of free tools to help keep kids safe online. One of the best is Family Link, a parental control app for Android that helps parents limit screen time and also sets some limits for web browsing.

Safe Search, one such fence, has been around for many years. This feature is automatically enabled for anyone under the age of 18 signed into their Google account, whether or not their parent is using Family Link. Google is now expanding this feature to blur what it considers explicit images in search results. even if SafeSearch is disabled.

The idea is to help kids avoid seeing inappropriate images when they search the web. However, the fact that there’s a prominent “View Image” button means that curious kids (or anyone else) can view it if they want to. They will also have the ability to manage settings and disable safesearch if they wish.

Google hasn’t given an exact date for when SafeSearch blur will be available, but says it will be “in the coming months.”

However, this is not the only new feature.

iPhone owners will soon be able to set up Face ID so that only they can open the Google app on their phone. The app already has incognito mode, as well as the ability to remove the last 15 minutes of your search history from your Google account. The addition of Face ID means an extra layer of security for your Google data if someone managed to pick up your phone while it was unlocked.

Google

Back in May 2022, Google announced virtual maps. They offer a way to pay for goods and services online without having to enter the three-digit CVV code on the back of your real card and therefore help prevent this data from falling into the wrong hands.

Originally only available with a Capital One card, they are now available to Amex customers as well.

Finally, Google’s password manager gets the ability to use a fingerprint scanner (or other biometric authentication) on supported computers before automatically filling in passwords on login screens. In addition, the same authentication can be used to display hidden passwords, copy them, or edit them, meaning you no longer have to enter your master password to perform these actions.