Apple Issues Google Chrome Warning To 1.46 Billion IPhone Users

JAKARTA - Apple has issued a major warning to 1.46 billion iPhone users, which appears to be aimed at Google Chrome. The tech giant is putting up ad boards around the world to promote its Safari browser, calling it a "completely private crowder."

While the ad does not explicitly mention Google Chrome, Chrome is the most downloaded browser for smartphones, surpassing Safari with more than two million downloads. Apple's campaign hinted at security concerns regarding the use of Chrome and prompted users to switch to Safari. Advertising boards appear in major cities such as San Francisco, London, and Paris, as well as in countries such as Singapore and Australia.

Apple's advertising campaign seems to be taking advantage of the latest controversy surrounding Google Chrome's privacy practices. Earlier this year, Google revealed that it was collecting user data via Chrome, even as Incognito Mode was enabled.

Apple's ads have sparked conversations, especially given the lawsuit against Google for tracking user web browsing habits in Incognito Mode. Jake Moore, a global security adviser to cybersecurity firm ESET, told Forbes that Google collects data even in private browsing mode, which has raised significant privacy concerns.

Google responded by saying that they were trying to keep user data safe by default and ensure users could control how their data was used in Chrome to personalize their browsing experience. The company claims to prioritize user controls, with privacy and security settings built directly into Chrome.

Google Chrome's recent update has also been criticized for its security vulnerability. Google Chrome 125 update includes nine security vulnerabilities, one of which allows long-distance attackers to disrupt user browsers through the HTML page. This adds to growing concerns about Chrome's safety.

In April, Google settled a class action lawsuit in 2020 accusing the company of improperly tracking user's personal browsing activity. As part of the settlement, Google agreed to remove billions of data records related to users' personal browsing and allow Incognito Mode users to block third-party cookies.

David Boies, a lawyer in the lawsuit, stated that the settlement required Google to delete data it collected incorrectly, marking significant measures in data privacy enforcement.

Apple's aggressive advertising campaign against Google Chrome highlights ongoing debates over privacy and security in the tech industry. With increasing emphasis on data privacy, users are encouraged to reconsider their browser options and prioritize browsers offering strong privacy protection.