In connection with the activation of the “porn mode” of the Chrome browser, in the future it will provide more precise information about its operation. A multi-billion class action was previously filed against Google.
Google Chrome’s incognito mode is not as private as some users might have imagined. Adobe Stock
Earlier in January, we reported how Google’s parent company Alphabet was sued for tracking Chrome users. However, the case was settled outside the courtroom.
In a class action seeking compensation of 4.5 billion euros, Google was accused of tracking users using Chrome’s private browsing mode, i.e. the incognito feature.
Although, for example, page history is not saved during an incognito session, data on visits and search terms is collected for Google’s analytics tools.
According to Google, it has been open about its monitoring, but the users who filed the class action have a different opinion.
Not private, but more private
Google has now added a clarification about the incognito mode to the Canary version of Chrome aimed at developers. It is expected that the mention will be added to the main version of Chrome as well.
When the user activates incognito mode, gives Canary MS Power User’s according to the reformulated announcement: “Other device users can’t see your activity, so you can browse the web more privately. This does not affect how websites and the services they use, such as Google, collect data.”
In the stable version of Chrome, the notification is still in the form “Now you can browse the web privately. Other users of the device cannot see your activity.”
Instead of telling you that browsing is private, Chrome uses formatting in the new notification more privately.
Even at the moment, however, Chrome informs when opening a new incognito window that the user’s activity may be visible to visited websites, an employer, an educational institution or an internet service provider.
American Wired asked Google if the new notification will also be seen in the stable version of Chrome and if the change is related to the settlement of the class action.
The answer from the technology giant’s communications department was roundabout, but between the lines it can be interpreted as affirmative to both.
– We are happy to have a solution to a case that has been a controversial issue for a long time and to be able to offer our users more and more information about how incognito mode works. It will continue to offer the possibility to browse the internet without the activity being saved in the browser or device, a Google representative stated.
Sources: Wired, MS Power User