Google's Secret Tracking Warning For All 3 Billion Chrome Users
You are being tracked — how to stop it.
getty
It's hard to know where Chrome is going at the moment when it comes to tracking its 3 billion users. The promise to kill cookies is essentially dead, with even regulators reportedly assuming that's the case. Meanwhile, Google and the ad industry continue their slow two-step routine, with nothing likely to change anytime soon.
There are some footnotes to all this. Google has unbanned digital fingerprinting, widening its remit beyond browsers to a raft of smart devices including TVs and gaming consoles. While the company's stock Android apps have been caught tracking users, even when the apps themselves are not being used or even opened.
Now we have another secretive tracking warning for all those users. This time, Google is playing gamekeeper rather than data poacher, warning users that there are 'known, prevalent techniques for browser re-identification used in third-party contexts.' What this means is abusing third-party APIs working within Chrome to harvest fingerprints that can then be searched to identify the specific browser and user.
Google has a plan to 'block the execution of these techniques' within Chrome's Incognito mode, which it says 'generally involve the use of existing browser APIs in ways that do not match the API's intended purpose and are designed to extract additional information about the user's browser or device characteristics.'
Blocking this browser fingerprinting in Incognito mode would at least allay the risk that users are being tracked when they have specifically opted to browse privately without any such secret tracking operating behind the scenes.
Google confirms its Chrome team 'has developed a methodology to identify widely used JavaScript functions that provide consistent outputs from stable and high-entropy web APIs and can therefore be used to construct probabilistically high-entropy identifiers.' In short, a blacklist of workarounds and websites it can automatically block.
Users will be able to opt in (or likely out) of this protection. 'When the feature is enabled, Chrome will check network requests against the blocklist, including detecting CNAME aliases. When there is a match, active content from those domains will be blocked (e.g., scripts, iframes), but not static resources (e.g., images, stylesheets).'
Google also says it will introduce mechanisms to 'prevent simple evasion tactics such as renaming or slightly modifying the script.'
With tracking cookies seemingly here to stay and fingerprinting back, Incognito mode is fast becoming more critical for users tied to Chrome but interested in privacy protections as well, better matching the defaults in Safari and Firefox. This includes IP address protection, which is also being designated as just for Incognito mode.
Google says 'the feature will be available for users in Chrome's Incognito Mode only, on Android and Desktop platforms. It will be on by default in Incognito. Users will have the ability to disable it. For enterprise-managed versions of Chrome, the feature can be enabled in Incognito, but it will be off by default to ensure that enterprise site compatibility and their user workflows are not impacted.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Strong Portfolio Pushes SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SMA) to Strong Buy
SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:SMA) is among the best small company stocks to invest in. On Wednesday, analysts at Raymond James raised the price target for SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:SMA) to $44.00, up from $42.00, while upgrading to Strong Buy from Outperform. This confidence is driven by the company's high-quality portfolio and operating platform. Over the last few months, SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:SMA) has returned quite impressive returns. While the market's year-to-date return stands at merely 1.72%, the company reported an impressive 9.24%. This shows that the giant is just getting started. A row of self-storage units in a self-storage complex, showing the affordability and security offered by the company. From higher organic growth potential and margin upside to external growth impact because of its smaller size, the firm highlighted various reasons for a turnaround. The company has witnessed a revenue growth of 5.34% in the last twelve months, and with analysts anticipating 9% growth for the current fiscal year, SMA seems to be a hidden gem. SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (NYSE:SMA) is a California-based company that owns and operates self-storage facilities in the United States and Canada. This self-managed REIT has a fully integrated operations team of around 590 self-storage professionals. With 220 operating properties in 23 states, the company is committed to delivering value to its investors and customers. While we acknowledge the potential of SMA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Palantir, Meta, OpenAI, And Thinking Machines Just Had Their Executives Sworn Into The US Army Reserve
Four top tech executives have joined the U.S. Army Reserve as lieutenant colonels, skipping basic training and stepping directly into roles aimed at helping modernize the military. The initiative is part of a broader push by the Army to bring in private-sector innovation and reshape how the service approaches technology, talent, and modernization. The executives—Palantir (NYSE:PLTR) Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar, Meta (NASDAQ:META) CTO Andrew Bosworth, OpenAI Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil, and advisor at Thinking Machines Lab and former OpenAI Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew — will serve in a new unit called Detachment 201, also known as the Army's Executive Innovation Corps. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can 'Detachment 201 is being created to bring in tech innovation executives to help the Army ... on broader conceptual things like talent management, how do we bring in tech-focused people into the ranks of the military, and then, how do we train them,' Army Chief of Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler, told Breaking Defense on June 13. Unlike traditional recruits, these executives will not attend boot camp. Instead, they will go through an express training program that covers marksmanship, physical fitness, Army history, and protocols. They will be expected to serve about 120 hours per year and pass annual fitness tests. 'You could think of it as a pilot' of a lighter version of basic training, Butler told Business Insider. The detachment's name, 201, references the HTTP status code indicating a newly created resource—a fitting metaphor for a new kind of Army asset. Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: . According to an Army statement, the new officers will work on 'targeted projects to help guide rapid and scalable tech solutions to complex problems.' Their advisory roles will include input on AI-powered military systems and optimization tools for soldier fitness. However, safeguards will be in place to avoid conflicts of interest with their current or former employers. 'We've done this over and over when our nation needed top talent,' Butler told Breaking Defense. 'The difference is we used to do it in wartime. Now we're doing it ahead of wartime so that we can prepare and deter.' This marks another move by the Trump administration to align more closely with Silicon Valley. Palantir, Anduril, and other VC-backed defense tech startups have increasingly become major players in national security. Meta recently partnered with Anduril to develop augmented reality tools and AI systems for military direct commissioning has been used to bring in specialized talent, such as doctors or chaplains, during times of war. This move represents a peacetime shift aimed at long-term transformation. 'Their swearing-in is just the start of a bigger mission to inspire more tech pros to serve without leaving their careers,' the Army statement said. 'Showing the next generation how to make a difference in uniform.' Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?.UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? PALANTIR TECHNOLOGIES (PLTR): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Palantir, Meta, OpenAI, And Thinking Machines Just Had Their Executives Sworn Into The US Army Reserve originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
DA Davidson Sees Over 50% Upside in Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (MEC)
Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC) is among the best small company stocks to invest in. On Tuesday, analysts at DA Davidson began coverage of Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC) with a Buy rating and a price target of $23.00, reflecting a potential upside of over 50% from the current levels. This optimism is attributed to the company's strong footing in the fabricating truck and machinery components market. As the financial services firm highlighted, Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC) has positioned itself as the 'clear leader in its industry.' From the latest acquisitions to the implementation of an updated business model, this small-cap company is clearly winning over investor confidence. A close-up of a heavy-duty machining tool forming a steel component. Just recently, Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC) announced the acquisition of Accu-Fab from Tide Rock Holdings worth $140.5 million. While the transaction will be completed during the third quarter, Mayville Engineering has already begun to diversify its portfolio and enter high-growth end markets. Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (NYSE:MEC) is a Wisconsin-based manufacturing partner providing a range of services, including designing, developing, and assembling. The company provides engineered components to original equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1945, the giant serves a diverse end market, mainly duty commercial vehicles, agriculture, power sports, and military. While we acknowledge the potential of MEC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
