On Safer Internet Day Google announces important steps to protect users

Safer Internet Day (SID) began in 2004 as part of the EU SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network to promote online safety worldwide. With the internet’s rapid expansion, concerns over cyber threats, data privacy, and digital well-being led to its recognition by the European Commission. Now observed in over 180 countries on the second Tuesday of February, SID encourages responsible internet use through global campaigns, urging individuals, educators, and policymakers to work “Together for a better internet.”

Google On Internet Safety Day

The internet connects billions worldwide, but safeguarding it from malicious threats remains a priority. Google is investing in AI-driven threat detection, robust privacy measures, and industry collaborations to enhance online security. In the past year alone, it has removed millions of phishing sites, blocked billions of harmful ads, and protected users from online fraud. By continually innovating, Google aims to create a safer, more trustworthy digital ecosystem for all.

Steps Taken So Far

In the last year, Google has prevented fraudulent transactions worth over ₹13,000 crores on Google Pay and displayed 41 million warnings to safeguard Indian users.

Leveraging cutting-edge AI, Google successfully blocked over 2.36 million policy-violating apps from ever reaching Google Play, preventing potential harm before it could occur. Taking decisive action against malicious developers, Google banned over 158,000 accounts globally for attempting to publish harmful apps.

Constantly vigilant both inside and outside the Play Store, Google Play Protect scans over 200 billion apps daily. Its real-time scanning identified over 13 million new malicious apps originating from outside Google Play. The enhanced fraud protection pilot, launched in India on November 5, 2024, reached 50% coverage by January 21, 2025, and as of January 31, 2025, has blocked over 13.9 million installation attempts of potentially harmful apps, protecting 3.2 million devices. This translates to over 309,000 unique apps prevented from being installed.

On YouTube, Google’s Community Guidelines prohibit spam, deceptive practices, and scams—including fake cash gifts, “get rich quick” schemes, and fraudulent attempts to collect personal information. In Q3 2024, YouTube removed over 4.1 million channels and 85,000 videos for violating spam, deceptive practices, and scam policies. Strengthening efforts to combat misleading content, YouTube has also targeted egregious clickbait, particularly on sensitive topics like news and current events, ensuring viewers receive accurate and trustworthy information.

Empowering Users

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Google is empowering users with the knowledge and tools to stay safe online. Through the DigiKavach ‘Mauka Gawao’ campaign, Google reached 177 million users in India, raising awareness about financial scams. Partnering with government agencies like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Google Pay is now integrated into the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal to combat fraud more effectively.Exploring game-based learning, Google piloted ShieldUp!, a mobile game that helped 3,000 users recognize scams, with lasting impact even after 21 days. Additionally, Google has joined the Safer Internet India Coalition, working with digital services, telecom, banks, and fintech players to strengthen online trust and safety.

Through Google.org, grants to nonprofits like CyberPeace Foundation and The Asia Foundation are equipping thousands with fact-checking and cyber safety skills. Google remains committed to building a safer digital ecosystem for all.