Google Chrome security and privacy: are you safe?
There is an advertisement doing the rounds on YouTube and other social networks promoting Google Chrome, claiming that it provides maximum security to users. I have been using it all my life and the truth is that I have never had any problems, although we are going to delve into the subject in depth.
Chrome security under scrutiny
Browsing the Internet is one of the most common activities we carry out with our mobile phones and we always want to feel as safe as possible. For this, search engines have multiple tools and privacy options and Google Chrome is one of the most advanced in this sense.
Just enter the app settings to quickly check it. Chrome includes a huge number of settings to improve security of the user on the Internet, such as: the privacy guide to improve searches, block third-party cookies, always use secure connections and even a security checker to know if browsing is safe right now, among other features.
Chrome has advanced security software with which your data can be safe at all times. It also allows disable GPS tracking of the app in case there are those who feel spied on wherever they go, although this translates into worse recommendations and a less personalized experience. It is you who decides what is done with your data.
Additionally, the Google Chrome app is updated recently for improve performance, optimize the resources consumed by each tab and allow more agile control. Chrome’s RAM consumption was one of the main drawbacks of the search engine, but Google has taken action to fix it, thus making it the benchmark on the Internet if it was not before.
Privacy in question
It is clear that Chrome is one of the most secure applications as a browser, but privacy is another issue. This does not mean that Google is spying on you, but that continually collects data to offer a personalized experience to the user. It is possible to limit some of this data from the settings, although there is a very recent controversy surrounding Google Chrome’s incognito mode.
A 2020 lawsuit notes that Google collect your data even in incognito mode. The truth is that the company has never denied it, so there is no lack of transparency. Likewise, the Chrome app was recently updated to clear up this misunderstanding. Now, the incognito mode of the application offers the following message:
‘Other people using this device will not see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This will not change the way the websites you visit and the services they use, including Google, collect data. Your downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.’
The Internet is a very dangerous place if you are not careful and Google Chrome is one of the safest browsers despite its lack of privacy. After using it for many years and trying other search engines like Edge, Firefox and Opera, I stick with Google.