Online shopping on Chrome and Android just got more secure with virtual credit cards

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Google just made it harder for snoopers to steal your payment details when online shopping

Google Virtual Cards
(Image credit: Google)

Google is aiming to make shopping online via Android and Chrome a safer experience with the introduction of Virtual Cards. 

Announced at Google I/O 2022 today (May 11), the aim of Virtual Cards is to add an extra layer of security when it comes to paying for products you’re buying online. 

Effectively, Virtual Cards looks set to provide you with an extra bit of peace-of-mind when you’re shopping online, within a climate where scams and data-stealing tricks are common, this could be a boon for Chrome and Android users. 

Pushing privacy

Google privacy controls

(Image credit: Google)

But that’s not all Google is doing to keep you safe, based on today's announcements at I/O. The search giant is also bringing in an Account Safety Status in which your safety status appears in some apps, with a simple yellow alert icon on your profile picture that will flag actions you should take to secure your account.

Google users will now be automatically enrolled into 2-Step Verification (2SV), with the idea they can use another device to authenticate who they are, without relying on passwords

Google has also done more work to help you protect your privacy online, with a toolkit of technologies, from shrinking the amount of your personally identifiable data available, to blurring and randomizing identifiable signals to strip your identity from your data, and using techniques like end-to-end encryption and secure enclaves to prevent people for accessing your personal data, including Google itself.

Add in an update to search removal policies, which allow people to more easily request the removal of Google Search results containing their contact details. Also, My Ad Center will give Google services users more control over the adverts they see, voting down ads that aren't relevant to their interests. The intent seems to aim for an internet that's a bit more private and personal than before, should you take Google up on its new tools.

Roland Moore-Colyer
Roland Moore-Colyer

Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he’s also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face.