Google will update the warning that appears when you go into Incognito mode on Chrome. Because even in private browsing, the company collects data on the sites you visit and the services you use…
All current web browsers – Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, etc. – have an option allowing you to explore the Web discreetly. This mode, called private browsing, allows you not to save certain information. Thus, the sites you visit are not stored in the browsing history, and cookies, temporary files and other data (usernames, passwords, etc.) that you enter in the forms are automatically deleted after use. . Clearly, browsing does not leave a trace in the browser or on the device you are using.
But be careful, because private browsing does not mean anonymous browsing… Even in private mode, the websites consulted, local network administrators (companies, schools, Wi-Fi access points, etc.) and Internet service providers (ISPs) can still see your web activity as well as your IP address. Google Chrome is no exception. And if, today, the vast majority of users know very well that Incognito mode is not that much, the description that the company gives of its private browsing can be confusing. And, if the browser doesn’t record what you do, the company itself doesn’t really…
Incognito Chrome mode: not completely private browsing
In 2020, Google was the subject of legal proceedings in California, launched by three Internet users. To put it simply, they criticized Incognito mode for not being that much, without informing users of this. “Nothing in Google’s privacy policy or the Incognito Screen leads users to believe that, while browsing privately, Google is continuing to persistently monitor them and sell their browsing history and communications to third parties”, explained the prosecution. The Internet giant continued “to track, collect and identify browsing data in real time, in violation of consumers’ right to privacy.” According to them, certain data remains used for advertising or traffic analysis purposes. They demanded no less than 5 billion dollars to compensate Internet users deceived by the company.
The case dragged on for several years in court before the trial was scheduled for February 5, 2024. Ultimately, the two parties managed to reach an amicable agreement, and the Mountain View firm agreed to pay the amount requested and to correct the misunderstanding. But there’s no question of changing anything in Incognito mode! In order not to have to give up on its juicy data loot, Google has decided to clarify the warning explaining what the function is. Currently, when you enable private browsing, you may read the following sentence: “You can now browse privately. Other users of this device will not see your activity. However, downloads, favorites and playlist items are saved”.
As reported ArsTechnicaa new message appeared in the Canary (alpha) version of the browser: “Other users of this device will not see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This will not change how data is collected by the websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, favorites and playlist items are saved”. Now it’s written in black and white! We don’t know when this change will make it into the stable version of the web browser.