In response to allegations of tracking users’ activities even in Incognito mode, Google has rolled out an update to the disclaimer displayed in the Chrome browser’s Incognito mode. Engadget reported on Wednesday that the tech giant aims to provide clearer information regarding data collection practices during private browsing.
As initially reported by MSPowerUser, the updated disclaimer can be found in Chrome’s experimental Canary channel. The revised disclaimer now explicitly states that while other users of the same device won’t have access to the user’s activity, it does not alter the way websites collect and handle data.
The disclaimer reads, “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. Downloads, bookmarks, and reading list items will be saved.”
This move follows a settlement Google reached in December 2023 regarding a lawsuit accusing the company of secretly tracking the internet use of millions of users who believed they were browsing privately. Reuters reported that the settlement was reached just before a scheduled trial on February 5, 2024, in the proposed class action lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed in 2020, covered millions of Google users since June 1, 2016, and sought at least $5,000 in damages per user for alleged violations of federal wire-tapping and California privacy laws. The update to Chrome’s Incognito mode disclaimer appears to be part of Google’s efforts to address privacy concerns and provide users with more transparent information about their data privacy while using the browser.
