January 17, 2024 Chrome users may be shocked to find out that Google Chrome’s Incognito mode doesn’t guaranty that you will not be tracked. The tech giant is updating the mode’s warning message, shedding light on a reality that has long been misunderstood by users: Incognito doesn’t mean invisible.
Chrome’s new warning in the Canary build now reads, “You’ve gone Incognito… This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google.” It’s a move prompted by a class action lawsuit accusing Google of privacy violations, even in private browsing mode.
Incognito mode has been a go-to for users seeking a private browsing experience. However, while it stops Chrome from saving browsing history and cookies on your device, it doesn’t prevent external tracking.
Despite the lawsuit and ensuing changes, Google maintains it’s a step towards transparency, clarifying that while your activity won’t be saved on your device, it doesn’t equate to complete privacy from external tracking.
These messages were spotted in what is believed to be an upcoming release. The timing of this update’s rollout to Chrome’s main user base remains unclear.
Sources include: ArsTechnica
