A new Google Chrome update aims to make online shopping more secure using virtual cards.
Announced at the company’s Google I/O 2022 event, this update will increase user privacy by offering the option to autofill virtual card details when requested in the browser, including the long card number, expiration date and three-digit CVV number.
Autofills aim to protect a user’s real card information from fraud, as well as help ensure they are not stored in a merchant’s database, which could be compromised in the event of a data breach.
Google is working with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Capital One to launch the new system, which will initially be available only in the US.
The company notes that this move will add an extra layer of security when paying online using a payment gateway, similar to the need to enter a PIN number when paying with a contactless card at a physical store, or the seller never seeing your long card number, and the company says it will add an extra layer of security for every purchase. says it will eliminate the need to manually enter card details.
Users will be able to manage their virtual card details on pay.google.com where they can view their virtual card numbers and track their recent transactions, as well as enable and disable the feature for eligible cards.
Google says virtual cards are likely to be used for one-time purchases, but can also be used for re-use or subscriptions. The company added that it will not use any data based on virtual card usage for ad targeting.
This new tool will be available on desktop (ChromeOS, Mac, Windows and Linux) via Chrome Autofill and will be coming soon to Android and iOS versions.
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