Chrome’s Incognito Mode is not entirely ‘Private’, confirms Google
Incognito Mode Chrome
Google has quietly made some changes to how it describes the Incognito Mode feature in its Chrome browser. This mode is often thought to provide complete privacy, but Google now wants to clarify that it’s not entirely private, even though it might seem that way.
The latest update to Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts. Users of the Canary build of Google Chrome, version 122.0.6251.0, spotted the new message from Google. This update is already live on Android, Windows, and other platforms.
In the current stable version of Chrome, when you open a new incognito tab, you’ll see a message saying, “Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”
Chrome’s Incognito Mode
However, if you update to the latest version of Google Chrome, you’ll notice a different disclaimer for Incognito Mode. It now says, “Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”
This updated message clearly indicates that websites, including Google, can still gather data and monitor what you’re doing, even if you’re in Incognito Mode. So, using Incognito Mode doesn’t guarantee complete anonymity. Also, the downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items you save won’t be affected.
These changes come in the wake of a $5 billion lawsuit that Google settled on December 28, 2023. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused Google of secretly tracking users’ browsing activity while they were in Incognito Mode.
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According to the plaintiffs, Google was collecting and identifying users’ browsing data in real-time, even in Incognito Mode. They argued that Google’s practices amounted to gathering a vast amount of information about users without their consent or knowledge.
Although Google denied the allegations, it agreed to settle the case. As part of the settlement, Google committed to providing users with more information about Incognito Mode. The company maintains that Incognito Mode still allows people to browse the internet without their activity being saved to their browser or device.
In summary, Google’s Incognito Mode isn’t as private as some might think, and users should be aware that their browsing activity can still be tracked by websites, including Google, even while using this mode.
