Singapore – In an effort to bolster online safety, software development firm Google has recently unveiled a series of efforts to further enhance online safety amongst Singaporeans and cultivate a digitally savvy citizenry.
This announcement was made at the company’s second annual ‘Safer with Google’ event, featuring Madam Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, as its guest of honour.
As part of the initiatives, the firm has collaborated with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore to create an enhanced fraud protection feature on Google Play Protect. This resulted in blocking nearly 900,000 high-risk app installation attempts from Internet side-loading sources such as web browsers, messaging apps, or file managers.
Initially launched in Singapore, this feature protects mobile users against malware-enabled scams by automatically blocking the installation of potentially risky sideloaded apps. It was also launched on all Android devices registered with the Singapore Google Play Store, which involved stopping more than 11,000 unique apps potentially used for fraud, including many that impersonated popular messaging, gaming, and e-commerce apps.
The firm further announced two new measures to combat impersonation attempts and create a safer mobile experience for users. These new measures encompass the verification of government apps on the Play Store and verified business messages.
In terms of empowering local communities and social organisations, Google’s philanthropic subsidiary Google.org also revealed a US$2m grant (approximately S$2.6m) to local social enterprise Bamboo Builders to educate and skill 100,000 Singaporeans against scams and online threats by 2026 under its SG ScamWISE (Well-Informed, Secured, and Empowered) programme.
Along with this initiative, Google also announced its strategic collaboration with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to develop a first-of-its-kind, rigorous Trust and safety professional training course in APAC. This partnership is designed to develop more online safety experts in Singapore and the region. Attendees will learn from Google’s trust and safety experts and industry leaders while engaging in a multidisciplinary curriculum across policy, enforcement, and legal frameworks.
Additionally, among the efforts announced recently were also from Google’s existing alliances, with the goal of enhancing cybersecurity, consumer protection, and digital literacy at scale. Programmes such as the ‘YouTube Priority Flagger and Cloud Priority Flagger’ work with the local authorities and organisations to identify harmful content and malware sites.
The Government Technology Agency (GovTech) also uses Google Cloud Web Risk to proactively escalate potentially malicious websites to Google, which would display warnings for sites that are confirmed to be malicious.
Ben King, managing director at Google Singapore, said, “I am delighted with the progress we are making in jointly combating the ever-growing challenge of online safety. But this effort remains ongoing, as bad actors continuously evolve their tactics.”
He further noted, “The rise of AI adoption in Singapore, with half of the population using generative AI tools, introduces new risks, such as sophisticated malware and convincing deepfakes. Google is dedicated to stepping up its efforts by innovating and investing in digital literacy programmes to equip Singaporeans with the tools and knowledge to defend against these evolving threats. Together, we will work towards the future where everyone can safely and responsibly harness the full potential of AI.”
Laurie Richardson, VP of Trust and Safety at Google, also commented, “Google harnesses the power of AI to protect billions of users and their data. Our AI-powered systems detect emerging threats and stay ahead of evolving attack methods, helping people safely navigate the online world.”
“We’re committed to collaborating with safety and security organisations worldwide, and we’re excited to bring our expertise to Singapore. By cultivating local talent and equipping them with the latest technology, we’re building a strong foundation for a safer AI ecosystem and a more secure internet for everyone,” added Richardson.
Meanwhile, Karen Teo, VP, platforms and devices partnerships at Google Asia-Pacific, said, “The progress we have made with the enhanced fraud protection feature within Google Play Protect is highly encouraging, but we cannot become complacent. Scammers continually evolve their tactics, underscoring the need for constant vigilance and proactive consumer protection.”
“We are committed to developing innovative solutions to ensure a safe, positive experience for all Android users. Collaboration with key partners like the government, developers, and telcos is essential to building a secure and informed mobile ecosystem that will enable online safety for all,” she concluded.
