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Weeks after agreeing to settle a lawsuit<\/a> that accused Google of illegally tracking browsing activity even after users activated Chrome\u2019s incognito mode, the company has quietly updated how the browser describes its private browsing feature. The updated text, spotted by MSPowerUser<\/em><\/a>, can be found in the latest Canary build of Google Chrome, version 122.0.6251.0.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Here\u2019s the updated text (emphasis added):\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cOthers who use this device won\u2019t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won\u2019t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google.<\/strong> Downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved. Learn more<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n In contrast, here\u2019s the text Chrome\u2019s current stable version shows when you open a new incognito tab:\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cNow you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won\u2019t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved. Learn more<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n However, the bullets beneath the incognito notice remain unchanged. These point out that browsing activity might still be visible to \u201cWebsites you visit,\u201d \u201cYour employer or school,\u201d and \u201cYour internet service provider.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Google\u2019s change to the notice is notable because the company previously cited it as evidence that the company informed users about the types of tracking that can still take place in incognito mode. \u201cAs we clearly state each time you open a new incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session,\u201d spokesperson Jos\u00e9 Casta\u00f1eda told The Verge <\/em>in a statement last year. But Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers was unconvinced by this argument<\/a> when she denied Google\u2019s bid for summary judgment in August last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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