Via Vowe.net, the Google Chrome Privacy Policy (scroll down, soon to be located here). It appears that Chrome will follow a pattern similar to the Google Toolbar – that is, all browsing behavior is sent to Google, but an opt-out is provided. From the Chrome Privacy Policy:
- When you type URLs or queries in the address bar, the letters you type are sent to Google so the Suggest feature can automatically recommend terms or URLs you may be looking for.
- If you navigate to a URL that does not exist, Google Chrome may send the URL to Google so we can help you find the URL you were looking for.
- Your copy of Google Chrome includes one or more unique application numbers. These numbers and information about your installation of the browser (e.g., version number, language) will be sent to Google when you first install and use it and when Google Chrome automatically checks for updates. If you choose to send usage statistics and crash reports to Google, the browser will send us this information along with a unique application number as well.
The last bullet is particularly interesting – each Google Chrome browser is fingerprinted so it can be uniquely identified. It should be noted that Google isn’t the first to fingerprint their browsers – Microsoft tags Internet Explorer with a Globally Unique ID.
As I previously noted, Google is allowing users the ability to opt-out of statistical reporting. I worry that those who opt-out will not be provided the full browsing experience, compelling users to participate in the statistical reporting. Furthermore, close attention should be paid to “advanced” features that provide additional reporting, above and beyond the standard statistical reports. Google Toolbar contains a number of these features that report URL’s, typed information and page content.
The best approach is for Google to be extremely open with Chrome and its privacy practices. Indeed, open sourcing the code is good – but Google should go a few steps further and meaninfully address the issue in a human-readable format. Google’s argument about a next-generation browser is solid, and I would be willing to give it a shot. First, however, Google must win my trust.
Fred Stutzman is a doctoral student, researcher and teaching fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Information and Library Science. He studies how people use social media.
I thought the whole ‘we retain universal rights to everything anyone ever does anywhere’ EULA thing was just a hoot. Their explanation for the mess up, which was basically just corporate laziness, was even worse. Love the browser, but they really do need to take the big brother responsibility more seriously.