Google Updates Warning Description in Chrome Incognito Mode

Google has changed the description in Chrome's disguise mode (photo: Rana/VOI)

JAKARTA – In 2020, Google was sued for violating the privacy of millions of Chrome users by tracking browsing activity in incognito mode. This lawsuit went on for several years.

After deciding to settle a class-action lawsuit over Chrome's incognito mode, Google quietly updated the description text on the feature. This update was first discovered by MSPowerUser in Chrome Canary version 122.0.6251.0.

The incognito mode description text in Chrome still explains that the device will not be able to see browsing activity when using the mode. However, your downloads, bookmarks, and reading list will still be saved.

Google also added information about data collection. The added description reads, “This will not change the way data is collected by the websites you visit and the services they use, including Google.”

Google says that the Chrome app will not save website browsing history, cookies and data from websites, as well as information entered into a form. Even though it is secret, this mode does not completely disguise activity.

All history that will not be saved by Chrome can still be seen by other parties. Some parties who can see Chrome user activity in incognito mode are website owners, the user's company or school, and internet service providers.

This change to the description on the incognito mode page is the right decision. Google must explain that this mode is not completely secret because activity tracking can still be carried out by certain parties.

To see description changes in incognito mode, users must first update their Chrome to the latest Canary version. If the description has not changed, users need to wait because this update is still being carried out in stages.