Google Chrome is introducing an experimental artificial intelligence feature that will automatically change compromised passwords to enhance user security. The new “Automated Password Change” capability, currently available in Chrome’s Canary version, integrates with the browser’s Password Manager to identify and update passwords that have been exposed in data breaches. The development builds upon Chrome’s recent password management enhancements and represents a significant advancement in automated security measures.
The feature builds upon Chrome’s existing password security infrastructure. When Chrome detects that a saved password has been compromised, it prompts users to change it and can then automatically handle the password update process. Users can activate this functionality by enabling the “Improved Password Change Service” flag in Chrome’s password manager settings. The automation expands on Google’s previous Duplex-powered password change system, which was first introduced in 2021.
To implement the feature, users must access chrome://password-manager/settings/password-change and enable specific experimental flags. For testing purposes, users can also enable a flag to mark all credentials as leaked. The testing capability allows users to verify the system’s functionality before relying on it for actual security incidents.
The system works by integrating with Google Password Manager, which has recently received several security upgrades, including enhanced biometric authentication for auto-filled passwords. When a password is identified in a data breach, the manager offers to replace it with a strong password, with the AI handling the change process automatically. The updated credential is then saved within Google Password Manager.
The development expands upon functionality introduced in 2021 that used Google’s Duplex technology to enable Google Assistant to automate password changes. The new implementation represents a more streamlined approach to password management, particularly important given the increasing frequency of data breaches and security incidents affecting major platforms.
The feature is part of Google’s broader integration of AI capabilities into Chrome, which includes AI-powered history search, website permission management, and automatic tab grouping. These implementations address common password management challenges, including password reuse and delayed updates of compromised credentials. The move follows industry trends toward passwordless authentication, as demonstrated by Microsoft’s recent shift toward passkeys and similar initiatives by other tech giants.
Sources: Chrome Story, Windows Report, Thurrott
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