In a shocking twist of fate that has surprised nobody, Google has not-so-secretly been harvesting data from Chrome browser users with its Incognito” mode function.
For those under the misconception that “incognito” offers complete privacy, it’s important to note that it was never designed for such purposes. Despite its name, it still grants access to a significant portion of your personal settings and browsing history. It doesn’t conceal your online activities, leaving authorities like the FBI privy to your browsing habits, including any sketchy porn fetishes you might have.
Fortunately, there’s a silver lining for those who have opted for Google’s Chrome browser or other freely accessible alternatives like Microsoft’s Edge and Opera, all of which are mainstream Chromium based alternatives.
If you’re in search of more private and secure methods for browsing the web, the options are limited. Almost every platform, whether it’s your mobile device or personal computer, tends to clandestinely collect your data.
This includes systems equipped with Intel Core CPUs (Intel Management Engine) or AMD Ryzen processors (AMD Platform Security Processor), each harboring its own concealed backdoor.
The reality is, your internet browsing activities are likely being monitored or harvested. Nonetheless, if you prefer the semblance of security, browsers like Brave offer a viable option. Additionally, Ungoogled Chromium, Thorium, Tor, and LibreWolf stand out as some of the top choices for enhanced privacy.
Nevertheless, Google will delete “billions of data records” of individuals’ private browsing history, according to a settlement revealed on Monday concerning the company’s practices of tracking web activity.
As part of a settlement filed in federal court regarding Google’s covert tracking of web activity, the company has committed to erasing the private browsing history of countless individuals who utilized “incognito” mode in its Chrome browser.
Google merely notified users of Chrome’s internet browser that they had entered Incognito mode, allowing them to browse privately, without divulging the specifics of the data the company was collecting.
However, in a 2020 class-action lawsuit, it was revealed that the tech giant persisted in gathering information about users who browsed the internet in incognito mode through advertising tools utilized by websites.
This included collecting “potentially embarrassing” searches from millions of individuals. Subsequently, Google utilized this data for web traffic analysis and advertising sales.
As the lawsuit was ongoing, Google modified the splash screen of incognito mode to clarify that browsing activity in incognito mode could still be viewed by websites, employers, schools, and internet service providers.
However, as part of the agreement, Google will now be required to disclose that it also tracks browsing activity during incognito mode.
Furthermore, while users are in incognito mode, Google will automatically block third-party companies from tracking individuals’ cookies, which advertisers typically use to gather information about a person’s search history.
Members of the class, comprising tens of millions of individuals who have utilized incognito mode for browsing, will not receive any monetary compensation. However, according to the agreement, individual users retain the right to pursue legal action against Google in California state court to seek financial restitution for the clandestine data tracking.
In a statement, Google spokesperson José Castañeda expressed the company’s willingness to delete outdated technical data that was never linked to an individual and never utilized for personalization purposes. Castañeda highlighted that despite the lawsuit seeking $5 billion in damages.
Google will not be making any payments as part of the proposed settlement.
This agreement, which sidesteps the potential for a protracted and expensive trial, coincides with Google’s defense against lawsuits initiated by the Justice Department, one alleging monopolization of online search, and another targeting Google’s advertising business.
Google, a vindictive tyrant with a monopoly on everyday web browsing, stands as one of the world’s largest corporations. Despite presenting Incognito Mode as a means of browsing the web without leaving traces of search history or storing cookies locally, it’s important to recognize that remote websites can still track your activity. This contradicts the very essence of the term “Incognito,” which implies anonymity.
Unless you’re utilizing a VPN, your search activities are visible to your internet service provider. Additionally, regardless of VPN usage, your browser is transmitting data to its creator.
While Google claims to be “pleased” to settle the lawsuit, they will not be paying damages. This decision is likely driven by the fact that they’ve already processed the collected data and are now content to dispose of the “raw “technical data” to pacify users.
