The setting, which can be toggled “on” and “off,” will automatically blur explicit images in the search results for most people.
The company aims to take several measures to secure high-risk individuals, protect democracies worldwide, improve password management, and protect credit card numbers.
In a blog post timed to Safer Internet Day, Google’s Senior Vice President of Core Systems & Experiences, Jen Fitzpatrick, announced the new default setting that will roll out in the coming months.
The feature is on by default for users under 18
She explained that this setting would blur explicit images if they appear in search results when the SafeSearch filter is not turned on.
The new default setting will be for people who have not turned on the SafeSearch filter. However, users will still have the option to adjust their settings at any time. Google has designed this new setting to prevent children from accessing explicit images. Still, it also ensures that people are logged in to Google if they are searching for something specific.
As per the company’s policy, signed-in users under 18 automatically have SafeSearch enabled, blocking explicit content such as pornography, violence, and gore.
You have to log in or explicitly ask to view explicit content
However, with this change, Google will automatically blur explicit content for all users who do not log in or specifically ask to view it. The company turned on SafeSearch as its default for under-18 users in August 2021, following pressure from Congress to better protect children across its services, including search and YouTube.
This new default setting further solidifies Google’s commitment to providing a safer online experience for its users.
Overall, this new change in the SafeSearch setting serves as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of the content that we access online and the role that technology companies play in providing a secure and safe environment for all.
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