Google’s Incognito mode in Chrome browser has been the subject of a legal settlement designed to enhance user privacy. While users won’t receive any monetary compensation, the lawyers involved estimate that the stricter privacy safeguards will be worth billions of dollars due to the protection of personal information. Private browsing modes are now a common feature in most major browsers, offering users a fresh start by wiping browsing history and cookies when the session is closed.
Private browsing mode is useful for avoiding the storage of sensitive information in the browser, such as search history or form data. However, it does not prevent websites from tracking your location through your IP address or stop internet service providers from logging your activities. Google recently settled a lawsuit by agreeing to delete billions of records collected from users in incognito mode, as well as making privacy disclosures more prominent in its terms of service. Users will also have the option to automatically block cookies that track them in Incognito mode.
Downloading files and creating bookmarks during a private browsing session does not erase them, leaving users vulnerable to viruses and malware. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can provide additional privacy by masking your IP address, but using a free or cheap VPN may pose security risks. Search engines like DuckDuckGo and browsers like Tor offer more privacy-focused options, with the latter designed to make it difficult for third-party trackers and advertisers to monitor your online activities. Despite these measures, it’s important to remember that true anonymity online is unlikely.
The purpose of private browsing mode is not to conceal the fact that you visited a website, but rather to prevent that site from being linked to your device. Incognito modes do not block location tracking through your IP address or prevent your internet service provider from monitoring your activities. Your identity and activities are still visible to search engines and third parties, including advertisers, regardless of the browsing mode you are in. It is crucial to understand the limitations of private browsing and take additional steps to protect your privacy online.
