Not only does Google Chrome have an incognito mode, but YouTube and Google Maps also offer this feature. In this private space, you may feel safe from prying eyes, but is that really the case?
Incognito mode: people are still watching you
Google has faced legal action from users of the Chrome web browser who claim that the company continues to track them even when they are browsing in Incognito mode. When you open an Incognito tab, the entire browser appears dark, leading you to believe that you are hidden from surveillance. However, that is not entirely true.
Due to significant financial penalties, Google has now committed to deleting all data collected from users in incognito mode. In an article by Ars Technica, Google stated that this data was not linked to individual users.
The issue is not that Google collected data, but that it was not clearly disclosed to users. When opening an incognito tab, you are informed that websites may collect data, but there is no specific mention of Google’s ability to collect data through mechanisms like Google ads. The text of the incognito mode has been updated since the beginning of this year. Next time you open an incognito tab, pay attention to any changes.
Why are websites and Google allowed to track me when I surf incognito?
Many people have misconceptions about what Incognito mode actually does. Some use this mode to visit websites without leaving a trail in their browsing history.
While it is true that you enter a version of Google Chrome where you are not logged into any accounts and your browsing data is not stored, websites and your internet provider can still monitor your online activities. This information may be used to create profiles based on your regular browsing behavior for personalized advertising purposes. This is especially likely if your device, location, IP address, etc., remain the same.
What benefits does Incognito in Chrome offer?
Incognito mode is most useful when you are visiting websites that you do not want to appear in your browsing history or impact the ads you see. For example, if you are looking for a gift for your partner, using incognito mode helps maintain your privacy.
You can also browse websites relatively anonymously in incognito mode without needing to log out of your accounts. Additionally, incognito mode can be helpful on websites with paywalls, enabling you to read more articles without restrictions. It can also provide accurate prices on travel websites that are not influenced by your search history.
And what about Incognito mode in other apps?
In YouTube, you can activate incognito mode by tapping on ‘You’ in the app and selecting ‘Turn on Incognito’. Your video searches and views will not affect your algorithm preferences this way.
In Google Maps, you can access incognito mode by tapping on your profile icon and selecting ‘Turn on incognito mode’. This ensures that your search and location history are not saved.
In Chrome, you can activate Incognito mode by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of the tab overview or a webpage and selecting ‘New incognito tab’.
Enhancing privacy on your smartphone
Explore our step-by-step guide to improving privacy on your smartphone and learn about privacy considerations related to using a Chromecast device.