To settle a years-long lawsuit, Google has agreed to delete “billions of data records” collected from users of “Incognito mode,” illuminating the pitfalls of relying on Chrome to protect your privacy.
  • tb_@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    7 months ago

    it’s always been upfront

    The language it uses/used to use was rather ambiguous, especially for less tech savvy people.

    Perhaps it wasn’t false, but it definitely wasn’t upfront.

    • null@slrpnk.netEnglish
      0·
      7 months ago

      What about it is ambiguous or not written for less tech savvy people?

      • tb_@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        7 months ago

        You do know they updated it soon after this became a major thing, right?

        • null@slrpnk.netEnglish
          0·
          7 months ago

          I don’t know that actually. I recall similar wording going back to when Incognito tabs were launched.

          Got a source on that?

          • tb_@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            7 months ago

            Google quietly updates Chrome’s incognito warning in wake of tracking lawsuit

            […]

            Here’s the updated text (emphasis added):

            “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.

            https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/16/24039883/google-incognito-mode-tracking-lawsuit-notice-change

            The text in that article is different from your screenshot, I don’t know what’s up with that. Perhaps it’s regional.

            • null@slrpnk.netEnglish
              0·
              7 months ago

              I believe the one I posted is older, based on the logo.

              So looks like they’ve updated multiple times, each more reader-friendly than the last…

        • conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          0·
          7 months ago

          They might have changed the wording, but it’s been insanely clear for many years, and it never at any point implied it changed anything about what websites did.

          • tb_@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            7 months ago

            You and I may have known, but

            it’s been insanely clear for many years

            If it had been clear it wouldn’t have become an issue.

        • magic_lobster_party@kbin.run
          0·
          7 months ago

          That linked picture is at least from 2017 from a quick research. What they clarify now in the latest update is that Google is not exempt from tracking your activity.

        • samus12345@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          7 months ago

          If your employer, your ISP, and the websites you visit can see your browsing history, why is the implication that Google isn’t storing tracking info?