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Watchdog Wants More Privacy From Google

Incognito mode should be default setting on Chrome browser

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Nov 4, 2008 2:31 PM CST
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(Newser) – Nonprofit Consumer Watchdog is urging Google to make the “incognito” setting—which can limit the search giant’s ability to pin down users’ locations and keep tabs on their search and other data—the default mode on its new Chrome browser, Chris Thompson writes in the Big Money. It can be tough to switch the privacy mode on, and it “often switches off automatically without your knowledge,” Thompson writes.

Consumer Watchdog, citing a lack of such features in other company offerings, including Gmail, says, at very least, “Google must more prominently warn users that their keystrokes are being stored somewhere.” It’s launched an online letter and video to help users reclaim their web privacy—though Google, not surprisingly, doesn’t seem much inclined to budge, Thompson notes.

Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page talk about Chrome, the latest from the don't be evil company.
Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page talk about Chrome, the latest from the "don't be evil" company.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Chrome's privacy features have raised concerns among consumer groups.
Chrome's privacy features have raised concerns among consumer groups.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Each keystroke is stored when typed into Google Chrome, a nonprofit warns.
Each keystroke is stored when typed into Google Chrome, a nonprofit warns.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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