This is how you turn off the Chrome API that monitors your computer activity


Since version 94 of Chrome it is possible for developers to monitor their activity via the supplied api. This feature has been criticized a lot, but luckily this Chrome API can be turned off. That’s how you do that!

The latest version of Chrome browser (version 94) has a feature called idle dection api added. Through this api, developers can view whether or not their users are active on their platform. The API assesses this by, among other things, looking at the number of keyboard strokes, the use of another screen and the movement of the mouse.

Rolling out this new feature is not without a struggle. Other tech companies are vocal about this new Chrome feature. Mozilla, the company behind Firefox, fears that the user’s privacy will be compromised with this new feature. By using this api, a pattern in the user’s internet use can be discovered, and then manipulated. This way you could find out what time someone normally has their lunch. As an advertiser, you could then respond to the user’s hunger and serve them ads about restaurants.

The api is automatically activated as soon as you have installed the latest version (94), but can be disabled at this point. To disable the api you need to go to your url bar. In it, type the following: chrome://settings/content/idleDetection.

Then choose under Default behavior for the option Don’t allow sites to know when you’re actively using your device.

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