Google launches Safety Charter to secure India’s AI future, flags online fraud and cyber threats

In response to India's rapid shift towards digitalization, Google has introduced its Safety Charter during the "Safer with Google India Summit" held in New Delhi. This initiative aims to address the rising challenges of online fraud, enhance cybersecurity measures, and advocate for responsible AI development across the nation. The Safety Charter is built on three fundamental principles: safeguarding users from online scams, fortifying cybersecurity for businesses and government entities, and integrating responsible AI practices into the design and deployment of its platforms. Under the Digikavach initiative, Google has extended AI-driven security to over 177 million Indians, thwarting approximately 60 million attempts to install high-risk applications through Google Play Protect and sending out 41 million alerts regarding fraudulent transactions via Google Pay. Notably, in 2024, Google Pay was instrumental in averting fraud totaling ₹13,000 crore. Google's email and messaging services, including Gmail and Google Messages, are actively combating spam and scam communications, blocking hundreds of millions each month by leveraging sophisticated on-device AI technologies. Preeti Lobana, Country Manager for Google India, emphasized the importance of trust in the digital realm, stating, "For India to become Viksit Bharat, we must build and maintain trust in the internet and our digital infrastructure. Our AI systems are continuously adapting to identify new threats and scams, even those with unprecedented malicious patterns." To further bolster cybersecurity, Google has pledged $20 million through Google.org to The Asia Foundation, which will help establish over ten new cyberclinics throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, partnerships with IIT-Madras focusing on Post-Quantum Cryptography and collaborations with Indian universities aim to prepare MSMEs and students for a secure digital future. Heather Adkins, Vice President of Engineering at Google Security, noted the transformative power of AI in cybersecurity, saying, "AI is reversing the defender’s dilemma. We’ve harnessed AI to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers, which is revolutionary." With the launch of the Safety Charter, Google is setting a robust framework for AI-driven growth, where safety, trust, and scalability are prioritized together.