The Google Chrome’s incognito mode was known commonly for its anonymity. However Google is updating the warnings on the Incognito mode stating that Google and other websites run by companies can still collect data in the web – although its in a semiprivate mode.
This change was initiated as a response to prepare a class-action lawsuit that accused the firm of privacy violations. This is in direct relation to the incognito mode on Chrome. The lawsuit accused that Google doesn’t make it explicit that it takes data from users in the private mode.
While tech-savvy people are mostly aware of the fact that data is partially collected from your device in incognito mode, most common web users are not aware of this. The warning would come in this place to create awareness and educate the users.
The new warning when you open the Chrome in 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.”
This new warning is not yet in the developer, beta or stable branches of chrome as of Tuesday. Nor was it in chromium.
Both the new and old warning prevent chrome form saving your browsing history, cookies and site data. The information entered in the forms will also not be saved. But the downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.
When asked if this resolve was a response to the lawsuit, Google diplomatically answered – “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.”
