Recently, a researcher discovered that Google’s Chrome browser on your Android based mobile phones compromises users’ privacy. Read on to know more about it…
According to Forbes’ latest blog post, Google Chrome is used by almost half of the world’s population on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. According to a recent finding, the world’s most widely used browser captures crucial phone data without the knowledge of the users. Google is capturing harvesting users’ critical data to track activities and determine geo locations.
Facebook Tracking User’s Data
This latest report on Google’s Chrome comes after Facebook was accused of mining user data and tracking iPhone users’ movements. In the latest incident, Google enabled the tracking process by constantly tapping into the device’s accelerometer. According to the report, even when the tracking option in the iPhone’s privacy settings is turned off, Google still tracks the users. Apple’s iOS 14 operating system includes the ability to turn off app tracking, which is designed to protect user privacy. However, it appears that Facebook has found a means to track data long after it was discontinued.
But Forbes cybersecurity writer Zak Doffman warned: “While Facebook was collecting this information for itself, Chrome is happy to collect it for others — essentially enabling a free-for-all when it comes to hugely sensitive information about your every activity, your every behaviour.”
He said that research has revealed how the browser enables mobile websites to access device sensors. But Google not only allows access, but it also tells users this is a “recommended” setting to keep enabled, Mr Doffman said.
Google’s Tracking of User Data
According to the blog post of researcher Tommy Mysk, Chrome shares Android users’ motion sensors by default. He mentions, “the motion sensor is accessible to all websites in Android/Chrome by default, [whereas] Safari/iOS protects access by a permission.”
“The way Android handles the accelerometer is much worse [than Facebook],”
Mysk went on to say more that Google has limited the resolution of motion sensors on purpose. In addition, Google allows users to block websites from accessing a device’s motion sensors. On the other side, Google argues that it is constantly working to improve Chrome’s security and privacy.
Mysk warned that “the motion sensor is accessible to all websites in Android/Chrome by default, [whereas] Safari/iOS protects access by a permission.” What’s much worse, though, is that Chrome does this even when it’s set to private browsing or “incognito” mode. How can this be okay?
Previously, a research report by Trinity College, Dublin has investigated the data of iPhone and Google Pixel phones. According to the report, Google collects 20 times more data from Android users than it does from iPhone users. Google, on the other hand, voiced discontent with the news report. This research looked on the privacy aspects of mobile phones.
Previous Vulnerabilities of Google’s Chrome Browser
Last month, it was reported that Google Chrome users were warned of “multiple high-level hacks of [the] browser” for the second time this week.
Forbes reported that Google advised its 2.6 billion users to be aware in a new blog post, revealing four “high” rated vulnerabilities – days after discovering Chrome’s 12th and 13th “zero-day” exploits.
Concluding Note
“The rule of thumb in information security,” Mysk warns, “is that private information should be protected. Access to the accelerometer should be protected.”
Chrome is the most popular browser in the world and is controlled by the world’s largest digital advertising giant which also controls 75 percent of web tracking. Here, the math is straightforward. We can’t expect anything to change until users make decisions that prioritise online privacy.