Google’s Chrome browser has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to combat notification abuse on Android devices, and the results are impressive. According to Google, its anti-abuse systems have successfully blocked over 7 billion unwanted notifications per day since the start of this year alone.
The problem of notification abuse is a serious one, as it’s often used by scammers and malicious actors to distribute malware, phishing attempts, and other types of fraudulent content. In an effort to stop this abuse in its tracks, Google has developed a multi-layered defense system, which it likens to “Swiss cheese.” This approach involves using multiple overlapping systems that work together to identify and block abusive behavior at different stages.
One key aspect of Chrome’s anti-abuse efforts is its ability to automatically revoke notification permissions from websites that are deemed suspicious. When this happens, users can review the revoked permissions in Safety Hub and grant access again if they wish. This gives users more control over their notification preferences and helps prevent unwanted messages from cluttering their devices.
In addition to automatic revocation, Google is also analyzing behavior across networks of related websites to identify coordinated efforts to distribute malicious or deceptive notifications. By proactively identifying these groups, Chrome can revoke permissions from the entire network, protecting users even when individual sites may not seem inherently malicious.
To prevent abuse, Google looks at a range of factors, including notification volume, time spent on a site, and engagement metrics. Sites that are deemed to be excessively disruptive can be limited to sending only a certain number of messages per minute, with excess requests returning an error message. These restrictions can become more aggressive for repeat offenders and are reset after a period of non-disruptive behavior.
Chrome has also made changes to its notification permission prompts on Android, introducing a less intrusive interface that allows users to decide whether they want notifications without interrupting their browsing experience. This change has had a positive impact on user device battery consumption and the overall notification lifecycle.
For Chrome users, there are steps you can take to manage your notification preferences. On desktop, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Notifications. On Android, navigate to Settings > Notifications. From these menus, you can review and adjust your notification permissions as needed.
Overall, Google’s efforts to combat notification abuse in Chrome are a significant step forward in protecting users from malicious content. By taking a multi-layered approach that involves automatic revocation of permissions, analysis of behavior across related websites, and more aggressive restrictions for repeat offenders, Chrome is helping to create a safer online experience for everyone.
Source: Bleeping Computer — 2026-08-12