Hajra Naz
Google has quietly confirmed a major new Chrome update that will roll out soon to billions of users on both smartphones and computers.
While most headlines focus on the flashy Gemini in the Chrome AI upgrade, this new background change might actually be more useful for everyday users.
Chrome Will Now Auto-Remove Useless Notifications
“To help you cut through the noise and reduce notification overload, we’re launching a new feature to automatically remove notification permission for sites you haven’t interacted with recently.”
This new feature builds on Chrome’s existing privacy and safety tools, which already protect access to things like your camera, location, and microphone.
The update will come to both Android and desktop versions of Chrome.
Why This Matters for Everyday Users
Google says this change is important because most users are overwhelmed by notifications.
Their data shows that people receive huge volumes of notifications but interact with less than 1% of them. Most alerts are ignored, and many cause unnecessary distractions.
This new feature won’t block all notifications. It will only remove permissions for sites that send too many alerts and get very little engagement.
If Chrome disables a site’s notifications, it will notify you so you know what’s happening.
Where to Find the New Setting
The feature will appear under Chrome’s Safety Check settings. This section also includes tools like Safe Browsing and security health checks that help users quickly review their privacy setup.
According to Google, early tests show a big drop in notification overload with only a tiny change in total clicks. Interestingly, websites that send fewer notifications are seeing more engagement, not less.
Read More: Google Expands AI Mode in Search to More Languages and Countries
Google Is Reducing Notification Spam Across Platforms
This isn’t just happening in Chrome. As PC Mag noted, Google has been quietly reducing notification clutter across its apps.
For example, YouTube started testing a new feature in May. If you haven’t engaged with a channel recently, you won’t get push notifications from it anymore. However, you can still see the alerts in your YouTube app’s notification inbox.
What You Need to Know About Low Engagement
According to Android Police, Chrome will tell you when it turns off notifications for a site. However, Google hasn’t explained exactly what counts as “low engagement.”
If you don’t want Chrome to disable alerts from certain websites, make sure you visit them regularly or simply turn off the feature.
Also, this change doesn’t affect notifications from Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). Those will keep working normally.
Chrome vs. Other Browsers: AI and Privacy at Stake
For many users comparing browsers, two big factors now stand out:
-
Chrome’s new AI tools, like Gemini in Chrome
-
How well each browser protects privacy
On the privacy front, the news isn’t great for Chrome users. While the notification cleanup is nice, the Gemini in Chrome feature introduces a lot more data tracking.
Gemini in Chrome Expands — But Raises Privacy Concerns
The Gemini overlay is growing fast on Android. According to 9to5Google, activating Gemini now adds a “Summarize page” chip, alongside options like “Share screen with Live” and “Ask about page.”
Phone Arena praises the feature, saying Gemini can “summarize websites, answer complex questions, and even set alarms and timers.”
But Android Police notes that Google is still refining how Gemini works across apps. The rollout has been uneven, from the bumpy AI Overviews launch to slow Gemini integration into Google Maps.
Read More: Google Free Gemini AI Pro Plan Brings a Big Win for Pakistani Students
Surfshark Warns: Gemini Collects the Most Data
However, privacy firm Surfshark has sounded a warning. It says Gemini in Chrome collects more user data than any other browser-integrated AI.
According to their analysis, using Chrome with Gemini on your phone means Google can collect 24 types of data directly tied to you, including your
- Name
- Location
- Device ID
- Browsing history
- Search activity
- Product interactions
- Purchase history.
That’s a lot of personal information being shared in the background.
The Bottom Line
For Android users, the new Chrome update is a mixed bag.
The notification cleanup feature is a welcome relief from endless pop-ups. But the Gemini integration brings new concerns about data tracking and user privacy.
As Google continues to evolve Chrome, users will need to decide whether the convenience of AI tools is worth the trade-off in personal data.
And with billions of people using Chrome as their default browser, these updates will impact almost everyone.
FAQs
1. What is the new Chrome notification feature?
Chrome will now automatically remove notification permissions from websites you haven’t interacted with recently, reducing unwanted alerts.
2. Will this feature block all notifications?
No. Chrome will only silence sites that send too many notifications but get little engagement. You’ll be notified when permissions are removed.
3. Can I stop Chrome from removing notifications?
Yes. You can disable the feature in Chrome’s settings or keep visiting the websites you want to hear from so they stay active.
4. Does this affect Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)?
No. Notifications from PWAs won’t be impacted by this change and will continue to work as usual.
5. What are the privacy concerns with Gemini in Chrome?
Privacy experts warn that Gemini collects large amounts of personal data — including your location, search history, and purchase behavior — raising privacy risks.
