What’s happening

Google has added a new feature in the latest Chrome update that places a “Homework help” button in the address bar (omnibox) when visiting certain websites, including learning management systems (LMS) such as Canvas, D2L, and Sakai. Clicking this button launches Google Lens, which takes a screenshot of the page and sends it to Google for processing.

Why it matters

Because Google Lens captures and transmits page content, there are potential privacy and FERPA considerations if course materials or student information are included in those screenshots. While Google states that its services are designed with privacy in mind, this feature is enabled by default and not managed by the University on personal (BYOD) devices.

What you can do

If you would like to disable this feature on your device:

1. In Chrome settings(if available on your version):
   • Go to Settings > Search engine > Google Lens and toggle it off.
2. Using Chrome flags(advanced users):
   • Type chrome://flags in the address bar.
   • Search for “Lens” and set Enable Lens overlay or Lens overlay omnibox entry point to Disabled.
   • Restart Chrome.
     (Note: flag settings may change or be removed in future updates.)
3. Use an alternate browser such as Firefox, Safari, or Edge when accessing LMS content if you prefer not to use Google Lens.

Our recommendation

Please exercise caution when using the “Homework help” button in Chrome while viewing LMS content. The University cannot disable this feature on personal devices, but we want you to be aware of how it works so you can make informed choices.

For more details, see Google’s documentation: support.google.com/chrome/answer/15086890