Google Search Will Soon Start Blurring Sexually Explicit Imagery By Default

tl;dr Doctor

• Google is expanding its SafeSearch setting to blur clear images by default on Google Search.
• This is intended to prevent users from inadvertently encountering explicit imagery.
• The functionality will be rolled out in “the coming months”.

Google is preparing to make changes to the SafeSearch feature on Google Search. Soon the feature will automatically blur any explicit imagery that appears in your search results by default.

To celebrate Safer Internet Day, the Mountain View-based firm put out a post on its blog discussing how it keeps its users safe online. In that post, Google mentioned an upcoming change to its SafeSearch feature.

If you’re unfamiliar with SafeSearch, it’s a tool within Google Search that helps filter out explicit content from your search results. This content includes things like gore, violence and pornography.

Google says that in the “coming weeks” it will expand the SafeSearch feature to blur any explicit content that appears in your results. This new functionality will be the default setting whether or not SafeSearch is on.

In the coming months, we’re expanding a safeguard to protect you and your family from inadvertently encountering explicit imagery on Search. SafeSearch filtering is already on by default for signed-in users under the age of 18, but soon, a new setting will blur clear imagery if it shows up in search results when SafeSearch filtering isn’t turned on Gives This setting will be the new default for anyone who doesn’t already have the SafeSearch filter turned on, with the option to adjust the setting at any time.

According to the tech giant, the change is aimed at preventing users from inadvertently encountering explicit content.

For those who don’t want clear images blurred in their results, don’t worry. Google says users will be able to adjust the settings at any time.

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