Exciting news, folks: Google’s been caught storing your Chrome incognito browsing data. But hold onto your hats because there’s a silver lining: they’re finally agreeing to wipe it clean.
In a recent court filing, Google has decided to settle a long-standing class-action lawsuit that called out their data collection policies, particularly about private browsing, aka “Incognito Mode.”
The lawsuit accused Google of secretly tracking and gathering users’ browsing history and other online activities, even when they thought they were browsing incognito. While Google didn’t outright deny these allegations, they did admit that while incognito browsing data isn’t stored locally, websites could still track your activity during the session.
But fear not, weary internet surfers, for change is on the horizon. Google has agreed, at least in principle, to make several adjustments to their practices. However, if you were hoping for a fat check in the mail as compensation, you might be disappointed. The settlement doesn’t involve any monetary payouts, though individuals still retain the right to pursue damages through legal channels.
So, what’s on the agenda for Google’s makeover? Here are the highlights:
- Purging all collected data
- Revamping incognito browser disclosures
- Implementing default blocking of third-party cookies in incognito mode for at least the next five years
- Removing private-browsing detection bits
While these changes are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it’s worth noting that the concept of incognito browsing might not be as foolproof as we once thought. Sure, Google isn’t peeking at your browser history, but they’re still doing their thing behind the scenes to tailor ads and personalize your browsing experience.
So, next time you fire up Incognito Mode, remember that while it may shield your history from prying eyes on your device, it’s not a guaranteed cloak of invisibility. Your activity could still be visible to the websites you visit, your employer or school, and even your internet service provider.
As for Google’s take on the matter, they’re backing the settlement while politely disagreeing with some of the claims made against them. But hey, at least they’re willing to make amends, right?