Forbes Contributor: "Why You Should Stop Using Google Chrome after Shock Update"

Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 11:10
Last edited 12/07/2021 - 17:22 by 1 other user

From my Google feed — Forbes recently published Why You Should Stop Using Google Chrome After Shock Update

(yes, forbes - and others - using clickbait title as usual)

Visual TL;DR
➔ For a neat visual summary (via tweet)

My TL;DR:

  1. Chrome's plan to greatly reduce data collection pushed back 2+ years
  2. However, the plan actually introduces “significant [fingerprinting] risks"
  3. Chrome currently harvests by far the most data from its users
  4. 100% of Chrome collected data is linked to you, personally
  5. Harvested data linked to you include:
  • Your Location
  • Your Browsing History
  • Your Audio Data

While there's a lot to recommend Google Chrome (65% global share), user privacy unsurprisingly is not it's strongest feature, thanks to the nature of its business model.

Quotes from the piece:

Google’s Privacy Sandbox blogs highlight that third-party cookies undermine user privacy, yet they’re allowed by default in Chrome. — Security researchers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry

“Chrome is the only major browser that doesn’t offer meaningful protection from tracking,” … introduces “significant [fingerprinting] risks.” — Mozilla

Of course, people fall into the usual categories with stuff like this:

  1. Those who care enough about privacy to shift browsers
  2. Those who don't care too deeply and are perfectly happy to continue being fingerprinted/profiled for targeted marketing/messaging
  3. Those who don't know better or seriously just can't be bothered
  4. I probably missed at least one other category

I'm curious which categories many of us in OzB fall under?

EDIT:

For those thinking it's too hard to shift browsers, it only takes a minute or so to transfer bookmarks, etc.

FWIW, I use Google products significantly for work, and for this I specifically prefer to use Chrome, e.g., Google My Business, Analytics, Search Console, Ads, Drive, etc. For everything else, I use Safari, Firefox… and now that I know it exists(!), the DuckDuckGo browser.

Poll Options expired

  • 55
    TBH, happy to be profiled inc my (one way) data-sharing arrangement with Chrome. Targeted ads ftw.
  • 185
    Yeah, thanks for letting me know, but it's too hard to shift browsers.
  • 27
    Didn't know about this. I could ditch Chrome.
  • 41
    I like Chrome but not this much. Adios muchachos. Punks.
  • 378
    Knew the privacy issues, ditched Chrome ages ago. #wow-you're-slow
Internet

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 09/07/2021 - 11:16
    +23

    So google is aware that I visit ozbargain a lot?

    • treekangagaroo on 09/07/2021 - 12:11
      +2

      And show us more bargains lol ?

      • orangetrain on 09/07/2021 - 16:39
        +8

        Or gives you more expensive sales. Ie travel sites charge more if you try using cashback.

        Did you expect to pay less with a monopoly?

  • Ryanek on 09/07/2021 - 11:19
    +39

    I actually prefer Microsoft Edge which is based on Chronium. Uses far less memory and your Chrome plugins still work.

    • Drakesy on 09/07/2021 - 11:28
      +15

      Our workplace (government) has now transititioned to edge and it's actually surprisingly good now, i assume this is due to security? Much faster than it was before. I'd say it's a decent alternative to Chrome now. (this is coming from using chrome for the last 10+ years.)

      • noz on 09/07/2021 - 14:36
        +1

        Yes, due to security. Organisations have transitioned to Edge because Internet Explorer has more holes than swiss cheese, and Edge integrates better in to most corporate ecosystems than Chrome or FireFox.
        You mentioned it is a "decent alternative to Chrome". Well, Edge and Chrome are based on the same engine ("Chromium"). The previous iteration of Edge wasn't and was a dog of a browser.

        • gromit on 09/07/2021 - 15:48
          +2

          The previous iteration of edge was actually significantly better, both speed and security wise. however it lacked adoption and hence support and they got it wrong with prioritising consumer features over enterprise. Edge is definitely a good improvement on Chrome.

      • knk on 12/07/2021 - 11:53

        on top of security, edge will just integrate perfectly and provide SSO etc with Microsoft 365 so it makes for a nicer experience for the end users and IT staff.

    • Ghost47 on 09/07/2021 - 14:21

      Yeah I jumped onto Edge earlier this year when it was released. Way better than crappy memory hog Chrome.

    • ruddiger7 on 09/07/2021 - 15:35

      Originally i hated it but have been using it more lately and its improved substantially especcially speed-wise.

    • Masterpupil on 09/07/2021 - 16:46

      I have done this too Edge is surprisingly better than I expected and the less memory is a major bonus. Chrome is crazy on the memory consumption.

    • ripprind on 10/07/2021 - 07:29
      +1

      What's the best source to compare browser privacy?
      This "recent study" shows Edge being at the bottom of the barrel with Russian Yandex in regards to user privacy:
      https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/study…

      • Ryanek on 10/07/2021 - 09:52
        +1

        In most cases, employers only approve Chrome or Edge so you have two choices. Do you want Google to have your info or Microsoft? I'll choose the faster one.

        You'd be naive to think any browser will you keep you totally private.

    • IdBuyThat4aDollar on 10/07/2021 - 10:59
      +2

      Same. I religiously used Chrome probably since the mid 2000s or whenever it came out. Every time I formatted a PC/laptop and clean installed windows, I would use IE to download Chrome (or download ninite to install chrome and other apps).

      Last year I built a PC, and after installing W10 decided to try Edge because I heard it was based on chromium. I was pretty impressed. Not sure about the data collection/privacy stuff in comparison to chrome, but I'm a bit meh on that.

      I only really use chrome on my phone now. Tried edge on android, but for some reason I didn't like it so much.

      • neonlight on 13/07/2021 - 08:15

        For me I use Chrome for cashback and Amazon shopping because of tracking, and I don't have adblockers on Chrome

        For mobile I use Samsung internet works better than Chrome

        But my go to is firebox for everything else, which I got all the add ons

    • Caped Baldy on 10/07/2021 - 16:45

      I like that it has adopted the tabs down the side rather than up top

    • cuteseal on 11/07/2021 - 23:12
      +1

      Same. Edge on windows, Safari on Mac/IOS.

      DuckDuckGo as default search engine for both.

  • spackbace on 09/07/2021 - 11:20
    +2

    Those who don't care too deeply and are perfectly happy to continue being fingerprinted/profiled for targeted marketing/messaging

    That isn't covered by your poll options

    • TBH, happy to be profiled inc my (one way) data-sharing arrangement with Chrome. Targeted ads ftw.
    • Yeah, thanks for letting me know, but it's too hard to shift browsers.

    There's happy, and there's indifferent.

    It's not too difficult to switch (though I picked that option), and there's indifference to the whole thing, while using an Android phone and social media…

    • Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 11:35
      +1

      Doh. Thanks, I added it as a poll option but it hasn't appeared. Too late for poll edits?

      • Scrooge McDuck on 09/07/2021 - 22:38
        +4

        I've never used Chrome. Where's the poll option for that?

        Why would you trust an advertising megacorp to develop your browser when there's a free open source alternative in Firefox (and possibly others)?

        I think critically and do my own research before installing programs. I don't just blindly accept what ever I'm offered.

        • spiff on 11/07/2021 - 02:50
          +2

          You go girl

  • Clear on 09/07/2021 - 11:23
    +5

    You'd be surprised how much information a website can collect about you and your computer.

    I knowingly use Google Location History to track where I go so it's much easier to fill out my time entries with accurate data each day. It's also extremely useful for travel. I'd be interested to see what they don't know about me.

  • c64 on 09/07/2021 - 11:24
    +36

    firefox for me on pc & android

    • Muzeeb on 09/07/2021 - 11:26
      +2

      But no pulldown refresh is annoying

      • Chandler on 12/07/2021 - 08:56
        +1

        Hmm… try Firefox Nightly (if on Android - not available on iOS) - it has pulldown refresh.

        I actually went straight to it when I installed it on my phone (I like having the latest features, etc), but have had no stability/bug issues (that I've noticed).

    • JimB on 09/07/2021 - 15:00
      +4

      I was solely using firefox for many years, but more and more I find some pages don't load up correctly or at all with firefox, particularly on Android.

      • wryun on 09/07/2021 - 18:20
        +1

        I would say that Android Firefox has actually got a lot better in that regard in the last couple of years, not least because Mozilla's had a strong focus on fixing any Chrome discrepancies on significant sites…

        In fact, recently I only have issues with Google sites under Firefox for Android - the search engine nobbles its results (there's a extension just to pretend to be Chrome for this!) and gmail.com doesn't want to load its mobile view without faking the user agent. Which to me is more reason to keep using it…

        • Kangal on 10/07/2021 - 23:45

          The best browsing experience seems to be Safari on iOS and macOS. It's just optimised to the metal. I recommend them, just make sure to use some good plugins and blockers.

          On Windows 10 I've been told Edge is currently the best. But other players like are close behind.

          Not too many big players/options on Linux Distros, there so Firefox wins by default.

          On Android, in some cases the Stock Browser on your phone is most optimised. If your phone doesn't have one, it will instead get Chrome-Android, and it's actually not that good. The current best (at least for the last two years) on Android is Firefox, since it's the full-desktop browser with all the plugin support. Second would be Brave Browser …that's pretty lean and privacy centric.

          Overall, I recommend people use Safari to share their tabs from their iPhone to their Mac. But if you have a Standard Phone and Laptop instead, it might be best to use Firefox, and share your tabs like that. Otherwise, just use individual browsers like Edge Browser, plus Brave Browser/Samsung Browser.

    • RocketFish on 11/07/2021 - 13:14
      +1

      FF and Brave for me.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/07/2021 - 02:09

        There's articles stating Brave is BS.

        • RocketFish on 13/07/2021 - 04:16
          +1

          Post credible sources that support that statement?

    • caitsith01 on 12/07/2021 - 14:16
      +1

      I am a Firefox diehard but I am getting really frustrated with how slooooooooooooooooooooow it is on Android. Takes 4-5 times longer to render pages than Chrome (using nightly). Any solution to this?

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 09/07/2021 - 11:28
    +16

    I've been using FF for years.

    When I need to use Youtube or a Google account, I do so in an Edge private window. I try to avoid browsing whilst logged into any accounts in FF.

    • psyren89 on 09/07/2021 - 13:13
      +5

      You can use container tabs in FF to isolate logged in sessions.

      • S2 on 09/07/2021 - 19:42

        I did not know this. Will give it a try. Thank you.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 10/07/2021 - 05:49
        +3

        This has changed my workflow entirely. Edge uninstalled. Containers being used. Thank you

      • JoeBlack03 on 10/07/2021 - 11:30

        I thought containers became almost unnecessary since FF 89. Cookies are not shared anymore, containers are only useful for multi-logins, no?

    • frewer on 09/07/2021 - 20:29
      +2

      Have you try Brave ?

  • QuicheLorraine on 09/07/2021 - 11:30
    +10

    I've been using Firefox for years now on my personal PC. I recently ditched Chrome on my work PC and use Edge now.

  • tsunamisurfer on 09/07/2021 - 11:46

    Does this change if you use Chrome without being logged into your gmail account?

    • Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 12:00

      From the article and graphic, I think it only affects those parts where it says "User ID". Third party cookies — a serious privacy problem that the proposed FLoC was meant to address — remains enabled by default. Unsure about Audio Data, Location Tracking, etc.

      • frewer on 09/07/2021 - 20:55
        +1

        Dont forget your Google-personalized-GPS ( android phone )

  • Big Lenny on 09/07/2021 - 12:00
    +9

    duckduckgo for the win and no censorship

    • Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 12:08
      +4

      I've known for a while that it was a search engine, but didn't know it had its own browser too til I read it in the post.

      • brandt on 12/07/2021 - 19:11

        Yeah, never heard of chrome or this search engine? Let me google it on duckduckgo

    • orangetrain on 09/07/2021 - 16:41
      +5

      Protip, you can use !g in ddg to send search to google.

      That way you can set ddg as homepage and then add !g if ddg search results are not good.

      • S2 on 09/07/2021 - 19:43
        +6

        ddg results are often so poor I end up using Google. Thank you for the tip. I'll give it a go.

        • Nicko99 on 11/07/2021 - 11:40
          +1

          Exactly my thoughts. Google search engine is the best by far

      • Nicko99 on 11/07/2021 - 11:41
        +1

        99% of the time, DDG search results are crap. Crap indexing

  • Pelicannn on 09/07/2021 - 12:09
    +6

    I opened Edge once to download chrome.

    I can’t get over how bad IE was so it’s hard to consider using Edge but I might give it a go.

    • AustriaBargain on 09/07/2021 - 12:55
      +2

      Firefox has returned to form hasn't it?

      • Pelicannn on 09/07/2021 - 15:03
        +1

        Unsure. I did use Firefox years ago, but we are talking like 2008 or so haha

        • ItsMeAgro on 10/07/2021 - 13:07

          Firefox Quantum (2018-ish I think?) was faster than chrome, and they are about the same speed since, so no reason to use chrome.

    • Nicko99 on 11/07/2021 - 11:41
      +1

      Edge is the leading browser used to download chrome

      • Pelicannn on 11/07/2021 - 11:55

        IE was the leading browser to download any other browser haha

  • Baa on 09/07/2021 - 12:12
    +13

    Brave browser is a decent alternative, however I tend to still use Chrome while at work.

    • bargdebarg on 09/07/2021 - 16:34
      +3

      Brave all the way. Forced to use Chrome at work

    • tonaye-aye on 10/07/2021 - 14:04

      Brave is sick

  • EightImmortals on 09/07/2021 - 12:13

    Does this info apply chrome variants like Brave and Edge?

    • Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 12:27
      +2

      According to the article, a definite No.

      Brave and Edge are far more user-privacy centric. I guess it helps that advertising (using your personal data) isn't their core business.

  • Member 0230 on 09/07/2021 - 12:30
    +1

    I know it's only been 75 min since the poll was posted, but genuinely surprised 100% of votes fall under (1) "too hard" and (2) "already ditched it".

    I expected a slightly broader distribution.

    • gromit on 09/07/2021 - 15:54
      +4

      The too hard doesn't suprise me. Most people are technically ignorant (don't mean it as an insult to anyone, it is simple fact) and they are just not aware of how easy it is to switch browsers and taking bookmarks/favourites with them and in many cases also any plugins.

  • MrThing on 09/07/2021 - 12:34
    +4

    Firefox on windows and Brave on android.

    • follow on 09/07/2021 - 19:47

      Opposite for me. Can't beat Firefox's add-ons on Android. Brave looks prettier on Windows and has a really good sync feature.

  • BargainCowboy on 09/07/2021 - 12:52
    +3

    Edge for the win, faster, more powerful, chromium-based, what else do you need?

  • AustriaBargain on 09/07/2021 - 12:55
    +2

    I pay the Apple Tax to avoid all this shit. All my life I've been against data collection, never used flybys or any of that.

    • c64 on 09/07/2021 - 13:12
      +24

      i imagine apple collects its fair share of data as well

        • dazweeja on 09/07/2021 - 17:48
          +11

          Of course Google never sells any of your data either. It would destroy their business model, which is being uniquely able to offer advertisers the ability to buy ads precisely targeting desired demographics.

          • AustriaBargain on 11/07/2021 - 14:32
            -4

            @dazweeja: Right, and a pimp doens’t sell their girls, they just pimp them out. I’d rather my phone and search engine and map not pimp out my personal data.

        • Nicko99 on 11/07/2021 - 11:42

          Lol

      • pharkurnell on 09/07/2021 - 16:24
        +11

        yea they collect it all and do nothing with it

        LOL!

        • Munki on 09/07/2021 - 17:17
          +7

          LOL!

          Oh bless his sweet soul.

          • pulpfiction on 09/07/2021 - 23:02
            +3

            @Munki: I think their point is Apple collect your data and use it to to show tailored ads. This is also how Google use it. So yeah, you're paying the Apple tax to be gently screwed by Apple instead of Google.

            Oh, and yeah, I'm an apple user.

      • sovereign01 on 11/07/2021 - 11:46
        +1

        You imagine or you know?

        Safari is actually pretty great iirc, Apple have been among the first to block tracking, fingerprinting etc

  • Switchblade88 on 09/07/2021 - 13:16
    +6

    I use uBlock Origin which includes the EasyPrivacy blocklist.

    Hard to verify if I'm being targeted by ads because I never see any…

    • Jolakot on 09/07/2021 - 13:54
      +1

      Basically it for me too, I don't care because I can't see it

    • FareEvader on 11/07/2021 - 21:23

      Is that like adblock?

    • factor on 12/07/2021 - 22:35

      Add paywall-bypass to that setup and you don't see any paywalls either. That comes with a handy privacy byproduct - many websites don't get sent any cookies and only receive the User-Agent Googlebot. So they have little more than your IP address for fingerprinting.

  • mini2 on 09/07/2021 - 13:18

    How bad is Firefox in comparison?

    Forced to use Chrome/Edge Chromium at work and I was actually thinking to ditch Firefox at home…

    • c64 on 09/07/2021 - 13:33
      +15

      firefox is continually making changes to be more pro-privacy

    • orangetrain on 09/07/2021 - 16:46

      Chrome by Google is focused on Google, especially if no one consider alternative browsers.

      Firefox is motivated to please their users.

      Edge, Brave, etc, depend on Chrome.

      Its a goliath vs david comparison, really.

    • Quantumcat on 09/07/2021 - 18:13
      +1

      Firefox is best for privacy. They have the best anti tracker features.

  • ozhunter on 09/07/2021 - 13:49
    +2

    Brave browser with duckduckgo for me. Brave search is still in beta.

  • rektrading on 09/07/2021 - 14:30
    +2

    Use Brave and get rewarded with BAT. Convert BAT to BTC and pay for VPN. Surf with Brave + TOR + VPN.

    • orangetrain on 09/07/2021 - 16:47
      +3

      Why use a VPN if you got TOR?

      • Munki on 09/07/2021 - 17:18
        +7

        Sometimes you just gotta triple bag your shit, son.

      • rektrading on 09/07/2021 - 20:52

        When you use Tor alone, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and any snoopers such as government agencies can detect that you’re using Tor.

        This is where a VPN comes in handy as it will mask your internet traffic, hiding the fact it’s going through the Tor network. This means that only your VPN provider will be able to see you’re using Tor. A VPN routes your traffic through a secondary server in a location of your choice and your real IP address is replaced with one from that server. The VPN also adds an extra layer of encryption, further securing your traffic.

        https://privacy.net/use-vpn-with-tor/

        • 1Kenobi on 09/07/2021 - 21:50
          +1

          Which vpn?

          • Nicko99 on 11/07/2021 - 11:44
            +1

            @1Kenobi: Why Nord of course. I use Surfshark personally

        • whyisave on 11/07/2021 - 15:48

          I think VPNs are also compromised too.

  • xers on 09/07/2021 - 15:09
    +8

    I know I'm definitely in the minority but I have never cared about or worried about privacy/data collection.

    All my login details and passwords are generated and managed by Chrome so I don't have to remember them. I keep location history on in my Google Maps because I like keeping track of places where I've been. I have adblocks on everything but for a few that manage to get through I'd rather they be something relevant to my interests than just something completely random.

    Never had any issues and I like the convenience.

    • orangetrain on 09/07/2021 - 17:41
      +1

      Yeah, people using non Google/Chrome are more ideologically/technologically motivated. That's also why Google pushes Chrome in search engine and in some software downloads.

      But you have to wonder why Google is spending so much on spreading Chrome vs a browser like Firefox. They need to get a return, as evident by attempts like above.

      • dazweeja on 09/07/2021 - 17:54
        +1

        Sure, but they're open about their business model. If an advertiser wants to target their potential audience precisely, Google knows so much about their users that they can offer this better than anyof their competitors. I'm fine with it. I'm more worried about companies that harvest user data as a secondary consideration, like Amazon. They are much more likely to sell it in my opinion.

    • gidxg03 on 10/07/2021 - 09:35
      +1

      I’m the same. If the worst that happens is you get targeted ads then who cares.

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