Computer Help and Support

douglas9

(4,473 posts) Fri Jun 21, 2019, 12:09 PM Jun 2019

Google Chrome has become surveillance software. It's time to switch.

You open your browser to look at the Web. Do you know who is looking back at you?

Over a recent week of Web surfing, I peered under the hood of Google Chrome and found it brought along a few thousand friends. Shopping, news and even government sites quietly tagged my browser to let ad and data companies ride shotgun while I clicked around the Web.

This was made possible by the Web’s biggest snoop of all: Google. Seen from the inside, its Chrome browser looks a lot like surveillance software.

Lately I’ve been investigating the secret life of my data, running experiments to see what technology really gets up to under the cover of privacy policies that nobody reads. It turns out, having the world’s biggest advertising company make the most popular Web browser was about as smart as letting kids run a candy shop.

It made me decide to ditch Chrome for a new version of nonprofit Mozilla’s Firefox, which has default privacy protections. Switching involved less inconvenience than you might imagine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/06/21/google-chrome-has-become-surveillance-software-its-time-switch/?utm_term=.63596b5e7d25

8 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Google Chrome has become surveillance software. It's time to switch. (Original Post) douglas9 Jun 2019 OP

Firefox works quite well now that Mozilla has taken an interest in it again! n/t RKP5637 Jun 2019 #1

I use Chrome and I don't care customerserviceguy Jun 2019 #2

I try to thwart anything that tracks me. Susan Calvin Jun 2019 #4

I use Firefox, still use Google for searches but I constantly make sure its data its cleared.... Historic NY Jun 2019 #3

I've been quite impressed with the "new" Firefox now that Mozilla has taken an interest in it again. RKP5637 Jun 2019 #5

Tx for the info. about GOOGLE CHROME, I really dislike snoops appalachiablue Jun 2020 #6

It's likely browsers based on Chromium will be the last standing. Google Chrome is just one. hunter Jun 2020 #7

Opera is my main browser, although I miss some of the older goodies in 12... TreasonousBastard Jul 2020 #8

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

1. Firefox works quite well now that Mozilla has taken an interest in it again! n/t

Reply to douglas9 (Original post)

Fri Jun 21, 2019, 12:18 PM

Jun 2019

customerserviceguy

(25,185 posts)

2. I use Chrome and I don't care

Reply to douglas9 (Original post)

Fri Jun 21, 2019, 12:48 PM

Jun 2019

I don't buy every small shiny thing dangled in front of me. I have tunnel vision when it comes to most all advertising.

Plus, every once in awhile, I try to goof with it. I go to a website that sells stuff I'd never, ever buy, put something in my cart, then X out of the window. It probably drives a computer's little silicon mind nuts!

Susan Calvin

(2,074 posts)

4. I try to thwart anything that tracks me.

Reply to customerserviceguy (Reply #2)

Fri Jun 21, 2019, 08:56 PM

Jun 2019

On general principles.

Historic NY

(37,796 posts)

3. I use Firefox, still use Google for searches but I constantly make sure its data its cleared....

Reply to douglas9 (Original post)

Fri Jun 21, 2019, 01:35 PM

Jun 2019

Chrome is like having a 20ton monkey on your back.

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

5. I've been quite impressed with the "new" Firefox now that Mozilla has taken an interest in it again.

Reply to Historic NY (Reply #3)

Sat Jun 22, 2019, 09:08 AM

Jun 2019

appalachiablue

(42,820 posts)

6. Tx for the info. about GOOGLE CHROME, I really dislike snoops

Reply to douglas9 (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2020, 12:05 PM

Jun 2020

and scammers.

hunter

(38,838 posts)

7. It's likely browsers based on Chromium will be the last standing. Google Chrome is just one.

Reply to douglas9 (Original post)

Sun Jun 28, 2020, 08:59 PM

Jun 2020

Microsoft Edge is now based on Chromium, so is Opera.

There's an interesting list of Chromium based browsers here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_%28web_browser%29#Browsers_based_on_Chromium

Most "spying" does not take place in the browser itself but in the cookies and scripts your browser accepts and the sites you choose to visit.

Ad-blockers like UBock origin can be very helpful.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UBlock_Origin

UBlock Origin is available in web stores or you can roll your own and install it.

But seriously, if you hang out in places like facebook, or use services like gmail, it doesn't matter how paranoid your browsers or operating systems are. All bets are off. If you use a major ISP like Comcast or AT&T they watch you too.

The latest versions of Firefox come with all sorts sponsored links. If you follow those you are lost.

True internet privacy is very hard work. Simply switching to Firefox isn't going to cut it.

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

8. Opera is my main browser, although I miss some of the older goodies in 12...

Reply to hunter (Reply #7)

Mon Jul 6, 2020, 10:42 AM

Jul 2020

and I'm impressed with Brave, Vivaldi, Firefox, and Edge. I use all of them for different things, but while they are more secure than chrome itself, it's those damn websites that insist on taking over your machine.

The latest Edge seems to be pretty much on track.

Reply to this discussion