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Google updated Chrome’s incognito mode warning to clarify that websites from Google and other companies can still collect your data in the web browser’s semi-private mode.
The change comes in response to settling a class action lawsuit accusing the company of data privacy violations related to Google Chrome’s incognito mode. Enhanced warnings have recently been added Canary ChromeNightly design for developers. The warning appears to directly address one of the lawsuit’s complaints, namely that the incognito mode warning doesn’t make it clear that Google is collecting data from users in private mode.
Many tech-savvy people already know that while private mode in web browsers prevents certain data from being stored on your device, it does not prevent tracking by websites or ISPs. However, many other people don’t understand exactly what Incognito Mode does, so more specific warnings can help educate users.
The new warning that appears in Chrome Canary when you open an incognito window says: “You have switched to incognito mode. Other users of this device cannot see your activity, allowing you to browse more privately This does not change how data is collected by the websites you visit and the services you use, including Google These terms may be interpreted to refer to Google and third party websites, third parties including websites that rely on Google advertising services.
The new warning is not present in the developer branch, beta and stable versions of Chrome as of today It was also not present in Chromium. The move is placed in the canary Previously reported by MSPowerUser.
“Now you can browse privately”
Incognito mode in stable versions of Chrome still says: “You have entered incognito mode. “You can now browse privately and other people using this device will not be able to see your activity.” Among other changes, the Canary alert replaces the phrase “browse more privately” with “browse more privately”.
Static alerts and canary alerts indicate that your browsing activity may be visible to “websites you visit,” “your employer or school,” or “your ISP.” But only Canary Alerts currently has a warning that incognito mode “doesn’t change how data is collected from websites you visit and services you use, including Google.”
The old and new warnings say that incognito mode prevents Chrome from saving your browsing history, cookies, website data, and information entered into forms, but “downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items are saved.” Both warnings are related this pagewhich contains more details about incognito mode
We asked Google when the warning would be added to the Chrome stable channel and whether the change was forced or related to a pending privacy class action settlement. Google did not provide a definitive answer, but issued the following statement: “We are pleased to resolve this situation, which we have long opposed, and provide users with more information about incognito mode. Chrome’s incognito mode will continue to give users the ability to browse the Internet without saving their browser or device activity “Your own.”
The case began in June 2020 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. On December 26, 2023, Google and the plaintiffs announced to announce They reached an agreement that they plan to submit to the court for approval within 60 days. The jury trial was originally scheduled to begin on February 5.
