Google quietly changes the description of the Chrome browser’s incognito mode after being sued over privacy concerns

January 16 news, Google was previously accused of illegally tracking browsing activities even after users turned on Chrome
Incognito mode, a few weeks ago Google was hit with a class-action lawsuit An out-of-court settlement was chosen. Now the company has quietly updated the browser's description of this private browsing feature, which appears in the latest version of Chrome Canary (122.0.6251.0).

The updated text is as follows:

Now you can turn on private browsing mode so that other users sharing this device will not be able to view your activity. However, it does not affect how data is collected by websites and services such as Google. Your downloads, bookmarks, and reading lists will still be saved on your device. Please see details.

In comparison, the current stable version of Chrome displays the following text when opening a new incognito tab:

You can browse privately with confidence. Others sharing this device won't be able to see your activity, but your downloads, bookmarks, and reading lists will be saved on the device. More information.

However, IT House pointed out that the prompt under the incognito mode notification has not changed, and it still warns users that browsing activities may be blocked by "the websites you visit", "your employer or school" and "your Internet service provider" Wait to get it.

This change by Google is quite eye-catching. The company had previously used the content of the notice as evidence that it had informed users about the types of tracking that might still occur in Incognito mode. Last year, Google spokesperson José Castañeda said in a statement: "As we make clear every time you open a new incognito tab, sites may be able to collect data during your session. Information about your browsing activities." But in August last year, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected Google's request for summary judgment, disagreeing with this argument.

At the end of last month, the plaintiff reached an out-of-court settlement agreement with Google and plans to submit the agreement to court. A final court ruling is expected by the end of February, following submissions in January.

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