So since they only just seem to have discovered this, does that mean this invisible extension also likely to be present on Chromium based browsers such as Brave and Thorium etc…?
Effectively Google has a browser extension (just like the ones you’d install from the Chrome Web Store like uBlock Origin) that comes with the browser that’s hidden.
This extension allows Google to see additional information about your computer that extensions and websites don’t normally have access to, such as checking how much load your PC has.
The big concern in the comments is that this could be used for fingerprinting your browser, even in Incognito mode.
What this essentially means is that even though the browser may not have any cookies saved or any other usual tracking methods, your browser can still be recognised by how it behaves on your machine in particular, and this hidden extension allows Google to retrieve additional information to further narrow down your browser and therefore who you are, even in Incognito mode.
Misk@lemmy.world 4 months ago
JackbyDev@programming.dev 4 months ago
Yes, though they could remove it. If they’re open source then you could check easily.
VelvetStorm@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Thank you for this info. If this is just an extension, can we just uninstall it or turn it off?
daq@lemmy.sdf.org 4 months ago
This is not a typical extension and it cannot be removed. It doesn’t even show up in the list of installed extensions.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 months ago
Maybe recompiling? But I suspect that Chrome as it is, is closed source?
JackbyDev@programming.dev 4 months ago
Chromium is open source. Google Chrome is not open source.
dan@upvote.au 4 months ago
even in Incognito mode.
I thought extensions don’t run in incognito mode?
I know Firefox doesn’t run them by default - you have to explicitly allow extensions in incognito mode.
Gestrid@lemmy.ca 4 months ago
I thought extensions don’t run in incognito mode?
They don’t. Unless you check the box that allows them to. And I’m sure Google has already checked that box by default.
griD@feddit.org 4 months ago
I tested it with a stock install of chrome/windows 11. Works.
WindyRebel@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Fingerprinting.
Bingo! Google wants to go cookieless and fingerprinting has been one of the solves I’ve always read about in the SEO world.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 months ago
Oh no, not my professor :( (/s)
JustARegularNerd@lemmy.world 4 months ago
Oh that’s a good typo, I’m leaving that!