Google warns users Chrome's incognito mode still tracks data, reports say. What to know.

[useapen]

Google Chrome has reportedly updated the message that users see when
they're in "incognito mode" following the settlement of a $5 billion
privacy lawsuit.

Google added a disclaimer that the privacy function still collects user
data that websites and services can access, according to the Verge, which
said MSPowerUser first spotted the change.

The new message is only visible on the latest version of Google Chrome,
the Verge reported. The previous message is still visible for some Chrome
users.

Parts of the disclaimer remain untouched like the bullet points that
clarifies that websites, employers, schools and internet service providers
can view activity. The page also states that browsing history, cookies,
site data and information entered in forms are not saved in incognito
mode.

Original and updated incognito mode messages comparison

https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-
images/2024/01/18/USAT/72262232007-screenshot-
308.png?width=660&height=477&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

The previous message reads: "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. Learn more."

According to the Verge, the new message reads: "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. Learn more.”

The previous message also gave users the option to block third-party
cookies that primarily prevents sites from tracking internet activity.

Lawsuit alleged Google spied on users
The update comes after the company agreed on Dec. 28 to settle a $5
billion class-action lawsuit alleging the platform used private browsers
to track internet use, according to the Associated Press.

The privacy lawsuit filed in 2020 alleged that Google misled users into
thinking their internet activities would be off limits to the company.
Plaintiffs also claimed that the company used advertising technologies to
catalog their site visits and used an "unaccountable trove of information"
under the false perception of privacy.

The settlement still requires approval by a federal judge and AP reported
that the final settlement agreement will be presented in court by Feb. 24.

"We’re pleased to resolve this case, which we’ve long disputed, and will
provide even more information to users about Incognito Mode," Google
spokesperson José Castañeda said in a statement. "Incognito mode in Chrome
will continue to give people the choice to browse the internet without
their activity being saved to their browser or device."

Google did not respond to USA TODAY's questions about the updated
incognito mode disclaimer.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/01/17/google-chrome-incognito-
mode-data-disclaimer/72260401007/

[cr0c0d1le]

I ain't touching Chrome with a ten-foot pole.

[Nyssa]

cr0c0d1le wrote:

> I ain't touching Chrome with a ten-foot pole.

Good luck with that. I don't have it on any of my
machines, but when I tried to renew my amateur radio
license this week I ran into a problem.

The fcc.gov website will only work in Chrome or Edge.

After two days of trying work-arounds and other
browsers, I finally ended up going to a neighbor's
and using her desktop with Win10 and Edge. The transaction
went right through.

I was also told by an fcc "help desk" person that
the site would not work with Safari either, so Mac
users are out of luck unless they download Chrome.

Tying a government website that millions of people
*have* to use to a Google product known for its
privacy and security issues is not a good decision
on the developers' part. I'm wondering at what level
the decision was made.

Nyssa, who doesn't have to worry about using that
website again for ten years, so can only hope that
somebody wises up before that and makes the government
websites browser-neutral

[D]

This is an increasing problem. Microsoft went the chrome way, Safari is
mac only, so only Firefox remain for those who do not want to support
google.

I notice that many banks and popular video conference programs such as
teams only work with chrome.

I am convinced that this will only become worse if nothing is done.

So I have firefox for regular use and chromium for internet banking and
chrome for microsoft teams (doesn't work on chromium for me).

I'm afraid that firefox might go the way of usenet when most, if not all,
websites stop supporting it.

Best regards,
Daniel

[D]

On Mon, 22 Jan 2024, Ottavio Caruso wrote:

>
>
> Am 21/01/2024 um 14:50 schrieb cr0c0d1le:
>> I ain't touching Chrome with a ten-foot pole.
>

> I only use Chrome for Gmail and that's it. They can steal any data they want
> because they already have it.

Genuinely curious question... why would you use gmail when there are so
many other free and more private options like disroot, riseup, tutanota,
posteo etc.

[Nyssa]

I use SeaMonkey for my every-day browsing. It didn't
work with the FCC website. Same for Firefox when I
tried it.

I use Linux. Edge is not an option, and neither is
Chrome for technical reasons.

The digital divide has just widened with the US Government
part of the problem.

Nyssa, who wonders why they bother with creating standards
for WWW when the two of the largest tech companies (Google
and Microsoft) just ignore the standards and create their
own

[D]

On Tue, 23 Jan 2024, Ottavio Caruso wrote:

> Who says I am not using them too?
>
>

You tell me!

[D]

On Wed, 24 Jan 2024, Ottavio Caruso wrote:

> You are taking liberties.
>
>

I don't understand what you are saying. You make no sense.