4

I wanted to start using Chrome for quite some time now, but I really don't want to tell Google about whatever sites I visit. So I was wondering if Chrome sends any data to Google telling them what I'm doing etc.
I'm specifically wondering if the latest versions of Chrome are using Google's DNS servers to resolve any domain I'm visiting because then they would know about every single site that I'm visiting on the Internet, even if I blocked Google Analytics etc.

I'm also thinking about the navigation bar which might send every character I type in real time to Google to give me search suggestions before even knowing that I was just going to enter a URL instead of a search.

In case you confirm my suspicion, could I do something about all this?

Improve this question
10
  • 1
    Using Google's DNS tells them which domains you visit. And using Chrome gives them complete access to your computer at your user account's privilege level. It's safe to say that Google can and will log everything you do in Chrome (as their business model is to violate everyone's privacy) and can even do much more if they wanted to.
    – user42178
    Commented Mar 22, 2015 at 7:28
  • 2
    @AndréDaniel Can is not the same as will. Technically, every program on your computer could be logging all your keystrokes and sending them back to whatever company wrote them. That doesn't mean they are, and it would be presumptuous to say that they are without specific evidence indicating so.
    – Ajedi32
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 19:35
  • @Ajedi32 but it depends on the business model of the company behind the software. Given that Google's main source of revenue is from selling user's personal data and violating everyone's privacy wherever possible, I think there are good reasons to be worried.
    – user42178
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 21:08
  • @AndréDaniel I don't mean to be rude, but that sounds an awful lot like FUD. Google's main source of revenue is serving ads to users. They don't sell user data to anyone. And I honestly don't see how "violating everyone's privacy wherever possible" would generate any revenue.
    – Ajedi32
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 21:28
  • 1
    @AndréDaniel If none of my personal information is ever shared with any living being who's not me, how can that be a "violation" of my privacy? Let us continue this discussion in chat.
    – Ajedi32
    Commented Mar 27, 2015 at 23:12

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
5

Read Google Chrome's privacy policy here

Navigational errors caused are resolved automatically through Google servers. You can disable them in the Settings > Advanced Settings > Privacy. In fact, you may disable all checkboxes in Privacy section in order to not allow contacting Google every time you search something.

You can also block cookies from Google in the Content Settings, disable auto-translation, Auto-fill and password manager. And of course, disable all extensions, themes and apps.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    This is the correct answer. Google gives you exceptional "control" over your privacy, but the fact is most users will never find out about these features.
    – Corey Cole
    Commented Jun 1, 2022 at 18:56
3

Yes, it is sending the information to Google but It uses your computer's dns server.

In Google you even have an ad ID correlated with you. This way they get to know your interests and give you according advertisements. However, I think that with incognito mode it doesn't send anything, because that's the point of it.

EDIT: [This part is about incognito] So, basicly, I'm not sure what exactly it is sending, but it is sending loads of packets to google each time you open a web site. So it is propably sending information about where you go. But it doesn't affect your ad ID, so it's propably not stored in correlation with you.

To the dns part, it uses your computers standard dns server.

Everything based on wireshark digging.

Answer to your question: yes it might be logging it. If you want sure privacy, don't use Google.

Improve this answer
12
  • 1
    Do you have any refs that back up your statement on incognito mode?
    – Deer Hunter
    Commented Mar 21, 2015 at 11:17
  • and also for the DNS thing?
    – Forivin
    Commented Mar 21, 2015 at 11:31
  • Well, at least that it doesn't account for the ad ID
    – Cube
    Commented Mar 21, 2015 at 11:31
  • 4
    I'm rather hesitant to vote on this since this answer is entirely speculation. If you actually observe this in wireshark, you should tell what exactly you're observing. Did you just notice that there is traffic, or did you actually observe what's in the traffic? Why do you have so many "probably"s in your answer?
    – Lie Ryan
    Commented Mar 22, 2015 at 5:02
  • 1
    Also, keep in mind that many, many web sites are logging your traffic using the same tools, and that other players in the market have the ability to track you across different web properties. If you are that concerned about it, download the Ghostery plugin chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ghostery/….
    – Robert Munn
    Commented Mar 28, 2015 at 9:45

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .