A massive blow has been dealt to cyber scammers and malicious actors who rely on unwanted notifications to spread their nefarious activities, with Google’s Chrome browser reducing over 7 billion such notifications per day on Android devices. According to a recent blog post by Google, these notifications have become a favored tool for scammers, used to distribute malware, phishing attempts, and fraudulent payment requests.
Google’s solution to this problem lies in its “Swiss cheese” defense model, which employs multiple overlapping systems to catch abuse at different stages. This approach allows Chrome to halt abuse at the source, preventing deceptive content from reaching users while maintaining a balance between utility and security. When it comes to notification permissions, Chrome has become more aggressive in revoking access from inactive websites or those that repeatedly trigger suspicious-notification warnings.
One of the key changes introduced by Google is its ability to automatically revoke notification permissions from sites that abuse this feature. This means that if you’re subscribed to a site’s notifications but haven’t interacted with it for an extended period, Chrome will remove your permission to receive further notifications. You can still review these automatic revocations in Safety Hub and grant access again if needed.
Google also employs network analysis to identify groups of related websites involved in malicious or deceptive notification schemes. By analyzing factors such as notification volume, user engagement, and permission-prompt frequency, Chrome can proactively revoke permissions from repeat offenders, protecting users from unwanted notifications even when the site content itself may not be inherently malicious.
To further streamline the process, Google has also revamped how notification permission prompts work on Android devices. The new interface is designed to let users decide whether they want notifications without interrupting their browsing experience. This change has led to a significant decrease in unnecessary background activity and user device battery consumption.
If you’re a Chrome user, reviewing your notification permissions is as simple as navigating to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Notifications on desktop or Settings > Notifications on Android. By taking control of your notification settings and staying informed about the latest developments in cybersecurity, you can stay one step ahead of scammers and malicious actors.
As we all know, prevention is key when it comes to cybersecurity. While Google’s efforts have made significant strides in reducing unwanted notifications, there’s always room for improvement. To protect yourself from these threats, make sure to regularly review your notification permissions, be cautious of unfamiliar websites or services, and stay up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates for your browser and operating system.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-08-12