After the massive fiasco behind the Chrome Incognito issue, Google now updates the message displayed for users regarding the tracking of their data and activity on the browser, clarifying how their information is handled. In this message, it says that Google still tracks users despite being under the protection of this private mode, making it clear how it is used.
For the longest time, people knew that Incognito protects their activity from trackers, even from the company itself, but amidst this probe, users get a better understanding of the feature.
Google Updates Chrome Incognito Warning for Canary
(Photo : Chrome for iOS via Screenshot)
In the latest version of the Chrome Canary build for developers, Google recently updated the message that it displays in Incognito mode, and it follows the recent settlement of the company in its tracking fiasco for the browser.
This message claims that while users are in Incognito mode, their data and activity may still be tracked by Google and other companies present on the internet whenever visiting them.
According to Ars Technica, this warning is not yet available or displayed in the beta, developer, and public release versions of the Chrome browser. Moreover, for the regular Chrome Incognito, it says "You can browse privately," but it has a different message on the Canary which says "You can browse more privately."
Google Still Tracks Users Despite Using Private Mode
In this new message, the report said that it talks about how Incognito mode would only hide the browsing activity from people using the same device or account, and this includes the history and other information used. What this means is that Google, other companies, and third-party services, including those that rely on Google ad services, may still access your information while on Incognito and track your activity.
Chrome Incognito and the Lawsuit Against Google
There are many commitments Google made towards privacy for users that rely on its search engines and web browsers for all things internet, especially with the famed Chrome Incognito mode. However, the company recently settled a 2020 lawsuit that talked about Incognito's not-so-private tracking of its users, with the case known for its $5 billion price.
In this suit, the users allegedly claimed that Google can still track users' activity and data despite using the Incognito mode, and whenever launching this feature, the message states that it does not allow trackers to do so. The plaintiffs geared up for this massive class action lawsuit that saw different courses of events, and at one point, they were to lose the appeal to pursue monetary damages.
After as much as three years into the court proceedings, Google decided to settle the case and the company, along with the plaintiffs, is now talking the settlement price over, with the agreements coming through this year. With this, Google also updated the message that Chrome displays in the Incognito mode of the browser, saying that it only hides the activity from local users, but not for online trackers.
