Google quietly update Chrome’s incognito warning in the wake of its tracking lawsuit. According to the firm, they say “other who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google.”
Google Chrome’s Incognito Warning
Google has made a subtle but significant change to how Chrome’s incognito mode is described, following the settlement of a lawsuit that claimed the company was tracking user browsing activity even when incognito mode was enabled. This update was first noticed by MSPowerUser in the latest Canary build of Google Chrome, version 122.0.6251.0.
That said, here is the updated text by Chrome:
“Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved. Learn more”
In comparison, here is the text that the current stable version of Chrome shows you when you reportedly open up a new incognito tab:
“Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved. Learn more”
Bullets beneath the Incognito Notice Remain Unchanged
The bullets that are beneath the incognito notice however remain unchanged. These in question point out that browsing activity might still very much be visible to “Websites you visit,” “Your employer or school,” and “Your internet service provider.”
Google’s recent update to the description of Incognito Mode in Chrome is a direct response to a lawsuit that accused the company of misleading users about the level of privacy provided in this mode. Google spokesperson José Castañeda emphasized to The Verge that this update aims to give users “even more information” about what Incognito Mode does, especially in terms of preventing browsing activity from being saved to users’ devices.
Google Defending Its Incognito Mode Prior To This
This change is particularly noteworthy given that Google had previously defended its Incognito Mode by pointing out its existing notices to users. Castañeda had stated last year that users were informed upon opening a new incognito tab that “websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session.” However, this defense wasn’t enough to sway Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who, in August last year, rejected Google’s bid for summary judgment, indicating that the company’s disclosures might not have been as clear as required.
Google Settling Its Lawsuit
The lawsuit has led to a settlement agreement between Google and the plaintiffs, as reported by ArsTechnica last month. The terms of this settlement are due to be presented to the court in January, with a final approval expected by the end of February. This settlement, alongside the updated Incognito Mode description, reflects Google’s effort to address concerns about user privacy and its communication about the capabilities and limitations of its private browsing feature.
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