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On the internet, it is sometimes difficult to know where our browsing data is going. To protect their privacy, many people turn to private browsing modes, like the one offered by Google on its Chrome browser.
But be careful, despite its name, what happens in the private browsing window is not necessarily confidential. Let’s take a look at what private browsing mode does and doesn’t do on Google Chrome.
Private browsing not really private
In 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against Google. The web giant is accused of misleading people using the private browsing mode on Chrome: if the name “private browsing” in fact implies that browsing data is not shared, this mode would nevertheless have contributed to collect data on its users.
Google signed a $5 million deal at the end of 2023 to end the lawsuits. The company is now preparing to issue a new “warning” letting Chrome users know better what to expect when it comes to data collection:
“Other users of this device will not see your activity, allowing you to browse in complete privacy. This does not change how data is collected by the websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks and playlist items will be saved. »
When can I use private browsing?
Incognito windows are useful if you just want to hide your browsing and search history from other people using your device.
When you use private browsing, Google does not save your browsing history, cookies, and data entered on the sites you have visited on the device used. So, once you’re done browsing, if you just close the tab, no one will be able to know what you were looking for or which sites you visited.
In summary, private browsing saves you from having to manually clear browsing history, cache, and cookies. Handy if you’re using a shared device and have things to hide. For example, if you are organizing a surprise birthday! Or simply if you want to prevent your child from accessing your history.
When should I be wary of private browsing?
If you want to protect your browsing data and avoid tracking and data collection, do not use private browsing offered by Google Chrome.
As you will soon read in Google’s new warning, data collection settings remain unchanged when you use private browsing windows.
Other important information: if other people using your device cannot view your navigation, your employer or establishment may have access to it. If you’re using a device managed by the company you work for, or the institution you study at, and you want to go to a “forbidden” site, for example, using an incognito window won’t work neither.
How to have truly private browsing?
To truly browse in complete privacy, use a virtual private network, more commonly known as a VPN. This tool encrypts your browsing data and hides your IP address. This will make it much more difficult to access your business.
Most VPNs are paid, but there are some for all budgets, depending on your uses: professional, private, for basic or maximum security, etc. For more information, consult our various guides:
Source: ZDNet.com