The Pulse
Securly expands school setting to block Google AI Overviews
Securly says its Filter setting that blocks Google AI Mode now also blocks AI Overview, which can appear automatically in ordinary search results. The company says administrators can set the policy by group and use a separate tool to monito
AI.info Team · Written with AI · fact-checked ·
Securly announced on Nov. 4 that its “Restrict AI Mode” setting in Securly Filter, which already blocked Google’s AI Mode, now also blocks AI Overview. With the setting on, students receive standard Google search results without AI-generated summaries, the company said, giving districts control over when students see AI-written answers.
Google’s AI Mode is a chat-style search experience. AI Overview, by contrast, appears automatically as a summary at the top of search results on the All tab. Because it can appear during ordinary searches, students at schools that block AI tools could still encounter AI-generated answers through Google search, according to Securly.
“Since Google introduced AI summaries, districts who want to restrict AI usage have had to take time away from serving students to find solutions to block this feature. A search engine shouldn't decide when AI shows up in front of students; districts should,”
Spence Mallder, Securly's Chief Technology Officer
Filter setting applies to AI Mode and AI Overview
When Restrict AI Mode is enabled, Securly Filter hides and/or redirects students away from both Google features, depending on the filtering method. The change therefore covers AI Overview as well as the chat-style AI Mode, while leaving other Google search options available. Securly said Images, Videos and News remain available, and that SafeSearch settings are unaffected.
The setting does not require a district to apply the same choice to every student. Administrators can turn it on or off for each policy in the Filter Policy Editor. A district could keep Google’s AI features off for younger students while allowing them for an older class, then change the policy as its AI guidance develops.
“This update lets a school that has blocked AI, keep it blocked, and lets a school that's ready open it up for the classes that need it.”
Spence Mallder, Securly's Chief Technology Officer
Separate tool tracks use of permitted AI tools
Securly said its AI Transparency product is intended for AI tools that a district chooses to allow. The company says the product gives leaders visibility into student AI use across platforms including Gemini, ChatGPT and other education technology AI tools. Administrators can view usage by school, grade or classroom, set guardrails on AI conversations, and flag conversations they consider concerning for review.
Between December 2025 and October 2026, AI Transparency provided visibility into more than 6.2 million student AI conversations across 1,806 districts in 39 states, Securly said. The announcement presents AI Transparency as a separate means of overseeing permitted AI use; the Restrict AI Mode setting controls whether students can see Google’s AI-generated search features.
Securly company figures
Securly describes itself as a K-12 student digital safety and wellness company. It says it serves more than 20 million students across 27,000 schools and manages more than 14 million school-issued devices. The company also says it reviews 75 million student digital activities daily.
The company says its products meet FERPA and COPPA requirements and are SOC 2 certified. Securly’s announcement says student data privacy is a priority for its work. The release identifies Securly Filter as the product containing the policy setting and the Filter Policy Editor as the place administrators manage that setting.