Google Chrome is the most used web browser in the entire world. With over 2 billion users across different platforms, the Chrome browser truly offers a lot of functionality with speed. However, if you have been here long enough, you must already be aware of some pronounced privacy issues with Chrome. Whether it’s cross-website tracking for advertisements or different websites using parts of your computer, there’s a lot you need to keep an eye out for. One such thing is the permissions that different websites request from Chrome, and in turn, your PC. Thankfully though, Google Chrome now allows users to selectively control the privacy permissions per website. So if you are a user who wants more privacy while using Chrome, keep reading.
This article covers how you can go about controlling privacy permissions for websites on your desktop or mobile devices, as well as what they are and how they affect you. We will also list some handy Chrome privacy tips you should know in 2021. Use the table below to jump to a relevant section.
- What Do These Privacy Permissions in Chrome Do?
- Control Google Chrome Privacy Permissions on Desktop
- Control Google Chrome Privacy Permissions on Android/ iOS
- Can’t See the Privacy Permissions Option in Chrome Address Bar? Here’s How to Enable It
- Essential Chrome Privacy Tips and Tricks
What Do The Privacy Permissions in Chrome Do?
You have no doubt come across pop-ups asking you for access to your phone while installing apps. Or perhaps you absent-mindedly clicked the “I Accept” button on a cookies or permissions banner on a website. Privacy Permissions is an encapsulating term that covers all of this. Put simply, the privacy permissions page in Chrome gives you access to the complete list of permissions that websites and apps ask for while you visit and use them. These permissions can range from something as simple as the ability to send notifications to more precise things like access to your camera, microphone, or GPS.
Control Google Chrome Privacy Permissions on Desktop
No matter which platform you use to adjust your Chrome privacy permissions, we will be showing you the easiest methods. They involve spotting a small padlock symbol present in Chrome’s address bar. To get to the privacy permissions settings on Chrome desktop, follow the steps below:
- Next, click the “Site Settings” option, and a new Chrome tab will open.
Whether you are using an Android or iOS device, the way to get to Chrome’s website privacy permissions remains the same. Follow the steps below to control your mobile Chrome’s website privacy permissions.
This way, you can visit and see if your favorite websites support this privacy setting on Chrome and enable them accordingly. And like we mentioned before, if you don’t see a permissions settings page for every site, don’t worry as they are still rolling out.
If you have been trying to follow the guide but are unable to see the website privacy permission options on desktop or mobile, there’s a chance you are not on the latest version of Google Chrome. You can check which Chrome version you are on by going to Chrome’s Settings -> About Chrome. Make sure your Chrome has been updated to Chrome 92 to see these per website privacy permissions.
- Type chrome://flags in the address bar and a list of all the Chrome flags will open up.
If you are content with adjusting the various specific privacy permissions on Chrome, we are happy for you. However, this section is for users looking to elevate their privacy game. So if you want to have a tad bit more control over your browsing experience, do consider changing the settings below.
Google Chrome offers users the option to enable safe browsing. This feature helps the browser establish protection from malicious websites, downloads, and even extensions. You can choose from two levels of Safe Browsing depending on whether you want your data to be sent to Google for analysis or not.
This specific privacy setting is for Chrome users who are tired of seeing personalized advertisements online. Through the use of various cookies, many websites track users across the Internet in an attempt to learn more about their browsing habits. This data is then used to show targeted ads. While many people like the convenience, if you want more privacy on Chrome, there’s a setting you can enable to get rid of such ads.
You can enable this privacy setting by going to Settings -> Privacy and security -> Cookies and Other Data. Enable the “Send a Do Not Track request with your browsing traffic” option to further enhance your privacy on Chrome. Moreover, Google plans to introduce its own tracking system called FLoC soon. You can learn all about what is Google FLoC and how to disable FLoC in Google Chrome via the linked articles.
Google Chrome offers a plethora of services that help make user’s lives easier. From using prediction to autofill text for better search results to loading pages more quickly, there’s a lot of features in Chrome. However, these services require the user to send a part of their data to Google’s servers, and that could harm you in the long run. So if you are willing to give up some convenience in exchange for privacy in Chrome, read on.
While it’s no secret that Google is the best search engine, it’s also not a surprise that it tracks users the most. An intricate combination of cookies and trackers on Google make sure that Chrome user’s data is documented and logged for various purposes. It not only threatens a user’s privacy but makes it susceptible to data leaks as well.
This particular setting is more for immediate snoopy people rather than the one on the Internet. If you are a private person who wants to keep your browsing habits private, you can wipe away your browsing history to stay secure. Chrome even offers users the option to choose a particular time period and clear and cookies and cached files. It helps remove your trace from your computer and signs you out of most websites.
You can delete Chrome’s browsing history by navigating to Settings -> Privacy and security. Choose your desired timeframe, what all data you want to remove, and wipe away. Keep doing it occasionally to stay more privacy-focused on Chrome.
