As we have seen, Google does not delete data in incognito mode. These remain somewhat saved, at least until now: the company recently announced a significant step regarding data management. This change comes after a controversy battle legal focused on data collection when using this privacy feature.
Google will delete browsing data in Incognito Mode
This week, Google agreed to delete a vast archive of browsing data in response to the resolution of a cause legal which raised questions about the real privacy offered by the Chrome browser's Incognito mode. Initially raised in 2020, the issue sparked a debate over how protected users' data really was when they chose to browse "without a trace". The news comes from Wall Street Journal.
According to reports, the agreement reached involves Google change your policies regarding private browsing, as well as destroying billions of data points that the indictment alleges were improperly collected. This commitment also includes theupdating of declarations on the website of Google regarding private browsing policies, offering Chrome users the ability to disable third-party cookies.
Although Google has admitted that it does not delete user data even in Incognito Mode, it has always underlined that, every time you open a new tab, it is clarified that websites may collect information on browsing activity during the session. However, the heart of the controversy lay in the transparency and clarity of Google's communications to its users.
The agreement, which has yet to receive final approval from the judge, represents a historic step in demand honesty and accountability from dominant tech companies. Google, for its part, expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the case, reiterating its belief in the lack of foundation of the accusations and underlining its commitment to never associate data with users in Incognito mode.
What incognito browsing hides
- hides history: leaves no traces of browsing history on the device, useful if you share the device with others;
- delete cookies and browsing data: cookies and data from websites visited are automatically deleted when the session is closed;
- does not save information in forms: information such as passwords and form filling details are not stored.
However, important aspects of your digital identity remain visible.
What incognito browsing doesn't hide
- visible IP address: Your IP address remains visible to websites, your employer and ISPs. This means that your online activity can be tracked;
- unencrypted browsing data: Incognito mode offers no data encryption, potentially leaving your online activities exposed on unsecured networks;
- network monitoring: Does not protect against monitoring of corporate or school networks.
It's crucial to understand that not all browsers handle incognito mode the same way. Each browser has its own policy (see Brave) regarding what is kept or deleted during an incognito session.
