Close Menu
Best in TechnologyBest in Technology
  • News
  • Phones
  • Laptops
  • Gadgets
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Tips
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Global
    • Press Release

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest tech news and updates directly to your inbox.

What's On

The 23 Key Pixel Settings to Change on Your Google Phone

31 August 2025

The Best Handheld and Wearable Fans to Keep Sweat at Bay

31 August 2025

How To Clean Your TV Screen or Computer Monitor

31 August 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Just In
  • The 23 Key Pixel Settings to Change on Your Google Phone
  • The Best Handheld and Wearable Fans to Keep Sweat at Bay
  • How To Clean Your TV Screen or Computer Monitor
  • These Hi-Fi Speakers Are Made out of Rocket Fuel Tanks
  • These Newly Discovered Cells Breathe in Two Ways
  • The FTC Warns Big Tech Companies Not to Apply the Digital Services Act
  • Ninja Gaiden 4 Cover Story, Voidbreaker, And Metal Gear 3DS (Feat. Mike Drucker) | The Game Informer Show
  • Gear News of the Week: Apple’s iPhone Event Gets a Date, and Plaud Upgrades Its AI Note-Taker
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
Best in TechnologyBest in Technology
  • News
  • Phones
  • Laptops
  • Gadgets
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Tips
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Global
    • Press Release
Subscribe
Best in TechnologyBest in Technology
Home » Google Updates Chrome’s Incognito Warning to Admit It Tracks Users in ‘Private’ Mode
News

Google Updates Chrome’s Incognito Warning to Admit It Tracks Users in ‘Private’ Mode

News RoomBy News Room17 January 20244 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Google is updating the warning on Chrome’s Incognito mode to make it clear that Google and websites run by other companies can still collect your data in the web browser’s semiprivate mode.

The change is being made as Google prepares to settle a class-action lawsuit that accuses the firm of privacy violations related to Chrome’s Incognito mode. The expanded warning was recently added to Chrome Canary, a nightly build for developers. The warning appears to directly address one of the lawsuit’s complaints, that the Incognito mode’s warning doesn’t make it clear that Google collects data from users of the private mode.

Many tech-savvy people already know that while private modes in web browsers prevent some data from being stored on your device, they don’t prevent tracking by websites or internet service providers. But many other people may not understand exactly what Incognito mode does, so the more specific warning could help educate users.

The new warning seen in Chrome Canary when you open an incognito window says: “You’ve gone Incognito. 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.” The wording could be interpreted to refer to Google websites and third-party websites, including third-party websites that rely on Google ad services.

The new warning was not yet in the developer, beta, or stable branches of Chrome as of Tuesday. It also wasn’t in Chromium. The change to Canary was previously reported by MSPowerUser.

“Now You Can Browse Privately”

Incognito mode in the stable version of Chrome still says: “You’ve gone Incognito. Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity.” Among other changes, the Canary warning replaces “browse privately” with “browse more privately.”

The stable and Canary warnings both say that your browsing activity might still be visible to “websites you visit,” “your employer or school,” or “your Internet service provider.” But only the Canary warning currently includes the caveat that Incognito mode “won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google.”

The old and new warnings both say that Incognito mode prevents Chrome from saving your browsing history, cookies and site data, and information entered in forms, but that “downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.” Both warnings link to this page, which provides more detail on Incognito mode.

We asked Google when the warning will be added to Chrome’s stable channel and whether the change is mandated by or related to the pending settlement of the privacy class-action suit. Google didn’t provide specific answers but offered this statement: “We’re pleased to resolve this case which we’ve long disputed, and provide even more information to users about Incognito mode. Incognito mode in Chrome will continue to give people the choice to browse the Internet without their activity being saved to their browser or device.”

The litigation in US District Court for the Northern District of California began in June 2020. On December 26, 2023, Google and the plaintiffs announced that they reached a settlement that they planned to present to the court for approval within 60 days. A jury trial was previously scheduled to begin on February 5.

Lawsuit: Google Failed to Disclose Tracking

A fourth amended complaint filed in March 2023 alleged violations of federal wiretap law, California’s Invasion of Privacy Act, California’s Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, and California’s Unfair Competition Law. It also alleged invasion of privacy, intrusion upon seclusion, and breach of contract.

“Google’s Privacy Policy, Privacy ‘Controls,’ and ‘Incognito Screen’ each falsely state that users can prevent Google’s collection by using ‘Private Browsing Mode,'” the lawsuit said. Describing the current Incognito screen’s promises, plaintiffs said:

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleSamsung Galaxy Unpacked 2024 Highlights: AI-Powered Samsung Galaxy S24 Series Launched
Next Article Raptors vs Heat live stream: Can you watch the NBA game for free?

Related Articles

News

The 23 Key Pixel Settings to Change on Your Google Phone

31 August 2025
News

The Best Handheld and Wearable Fans to Keep Sweat at Bay

31 August 2025
News

How To Clean Your TV Screen or Computer Monitor

31 August 2025
News

These Hi-Fi Speakers Are Made out of Rocket Fuel Tanks

31 August 2025
News

These Newly Discovered Cells Breathe in Two Ways

31 August 2025
News

The FTC Warns Big Tech Companies Not to Apply the Digital Services Act

31 August 2025
Demo
Top Articles

ChatGPT o1 vs. o1-mini vs. 4o: Which should you use?

15 December 2024105 Views

Costco partners with Electric Era to bring back EV charging in the U.S.

28 October 202495 Views

5 laptops to buy instead of the M4 MacBook Pro

17 November 202490 Views

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest tech news and updates directly to your inbox.

Latest News
News

The FTC Warns Big Tech Companies Not to Apply the Digital Services Act

News Room31 August 2025
Gaming

Ninja Gaiden 4 Cover Story, Voidbreaker, And Metal Gear 3DS (Feat. Mike Drucker) | The Game Informer Show

News Room31 August 2025
News

Gear News of the Week: Apple’s iPhone Event Gets a Date, and Plaud Upgrades Its AI Note-Taker

News Room30 August 2025
Most Popular

The Spectacular Burnout of a Solar Panel Salesman

13 January 2025129 Views

ChatGPT o1 vs. o1-mini vs. 4o: Which should you use?

15 December 2024105 Views

Costco partners with Electric Era to bring back EV charging in the U.S.

28 October 202495 Views
Our Picks

These Hi-Fi Speakers Are Made out of Rocket Fuel Tanks

31 August 2025

These Newly Discovered Cells Breathe in Two Ways

31 August 2025

The FTC Warns Big Tech Companies Not to Apply the Digital Services Act

31 August 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest tech news and updates directly to your inbox.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 Best in Technology. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.