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Photo: Envato Elements

Tech expert compares Chrome to surveillance software

A tech expert recently compared Google Chrome to malware. It seems that while the Chrome browser is arguably the gold standard for user experience, it might be playing fast and loose with your data in providing that experience.

browse internet

Photo: Envato Elements

One of the main problems facing web users is the invasive and ever-present cookie. Cookies are basically a digital footprint that allows websites to track information about you.

See the fun video below for what cookies might look like if they existed in the real world. While the video is entertaining it should also scare us all.

In essence when we allow cookies access to our data, we are giving up privacy rights that we wouldn’t necessarily give up in real life.

We probably would give up online if we had a better idea of how much information these cookies really collect.

“It looks a lot like surveillance software”

Geoffrey A. Fowler reporting for the Washington Post describe’s Google’s Chrome browser saying, “Seen from the inside, its Chrome browser looks a lot like surveillance software.”

You’ll notice that when using Google products like Gmail in Chrome, the browser will log you in, enabling your data to conceivably be tracked by the search giant directly from your browser.

Essentially, Google can keep an eye on your behaviour irrespective of the care you take to visit sites with respect for your online privacy.

With Chrome on Android, you have all of those concerns with the added worry that now your Android device is also keeping track of your location on the planet via your phone’s GPS data.

Safety over the ease of use

The takeaway here is that it might be time to consider one of the capable alternatives to Chrome like Firefox.

While Firefox is far from perfect, using a browser other than Chrome will, at the very least help by keeping your browsing history away from Google.

All of our data is currently in demand. Companies like Google can turn your personal information into cold hard cash.

As happy and colourful as their brand might be as online users, we need to guard against giving away all of our privacy in exchange for ease of use.

Remember – whether it’s using Facebook for free or getting free drinks during ladies night at your local watering hole: If a service is free, it’s because you are the product.

Watch: The Cookie Problem