Be aware of Google chrome 'enhancement' that exposes bookmarks and history

Forums › Desktop computing › Be aware of Google chrome 'enhancement' that exposes bookmarks and history

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#240808 26-Sep-2018 23:30

I've just noticed that when you sign in to google gmail using the chrome browser, chromes latest version 69.0.3497.100 automatically signs the chrome browser into the same account.

This causes chrome to automatically upload all of your chrome browser activity such bookmarks and history into the cloud. Every PC (and mac?) you sign into gmail using chrome will get a copy of your chrome bookmarks and history.

Here is an article about it...

https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/26/17904762/google-chrome-sign-in-changes-feedback

Huge mistake in my view. It means any machine you check your gmail using chrome will get a copy of your bookmarks and activity . Even signing into youtube will share your data to the cloud.

I realise you can switch off all the sharing etc, but it is all on by default.

[edit] I am not sure if this is already posted, did a quick search and couldn't find an existing thread on it.

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#2097161 26-Sep-2018 23:33

And, a better explanation than mine...

https://blog.cryptographyengineering.com/2018/09/23/why-im-leaving-chrome/

dafman

4054 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2651

Trusted

#2097234 27-Sep-2018 09:47

I used to love Chrome, but increasingly am wary of how excessive data harvesting by Google. So I disabled Chrome on my Android and installed Brave. The android Brave browser is an adblocker and identical to Chrome for UI, so an easy decision to move to this as default.

I also use Brave on desktop, but there are some limitations, so still have Chrome installed. I switch between the two, but may now consider trialling Explorer again to use with Brave.

I have considered a switch to Apple, but I can't stomach their approach to 'ripping' off consumers for hardware: eg. Releasing the iPhone XR at $1,400 but still not even giving users HD screen resolution, not including fast chargers with even their most expensive phones, no longer including a dongle for third party headphones, specifically designing the XS so that you cannot replace the rear glass panel for a reasonable cost etc etc. Maybe at some stage I'll accept Apple's overpriced offerings for privacy reasons, but at this stage I'm sticking with Android, but de-googling where easy to do so.

1101

3141 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1143

#2097550 27-Sep-2018 14:54

I release this topic is just a friendly FYI .... :-)

Given googles history (eg vans driving around illegally slurping up wifi data) ......
If any of this genuinely bothers anyone, why the heck are they using ANY google products

You dont have privacy with gmail, or google search . So why worry about being auto signed in .
Also , better burn your android :-) GPS/location : you are being tracked even when that service is turned off. Naughty android, you got found out.

I only use Chrome at home for the few sites that dont work with the addblockers I added to FF

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#2097559 27-Sep-2018 15:03

Personally this one doesnt phase me, i can see the cases where it would though..

Particularly if i logged into my gmail on a work machine (be it my main driver or test machine)

The one that drives me absolutely up the wall is their legacy products that don't support multiple logins..

Having to sign out of everything, then log into the one i want to use then back into everything else is an utter pain in the ass!

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

dfnt

1553 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1036

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2097568 27-Sep-2018 15:04

Now that Crunchyroll FINALLY has an html5 player I might consider switching to Firefox instead. But there's no real point when I use GSuite for my emails etc.

But at least its one less site using Flash

surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2159

#2097588 27-Sep-2018 15:26

hio77:

Personally this one doesnt phase me, i can see the cases where it would though..

Particularly if i logged into my gmail on a work machine (be it my main driver or test machine)

The one that drives me absolutely up the wall is their legacy products that don't support multiple logins..

Having to sign out of everything, then log into the one i want to use then back into everything else is an utter pain in the ass!

I think it will hit non-tech families the hardest.

I found out about it when suddenly I could see all the stuff my young daughter had been looking at on youtube and searching for.

Lots of stuff about motorbike crashes, and playing the guitar. . . not sure why motorbike crashes interest her.