By default, Google Chrome provides any website that requests it with the data from the motion sensors in your phone. And that is unnecessary in many cases, notes a security researcher. We explain how to adjust the setting in your browser.
Chrome and privacy
Users may overlook it, but Google is primarily a seller of online advertisements. An app like the Chrome browser therefore aims to collect valuable information about users so that it can be used to offer personalized advertising. The fact that Chrome is also a smooth browser that offers a good user experience is in principle not the goal, but rather a means by which Google maintains its revenue model.
Recently, Meta has been criticized for following the movements of iPhone users with its social media apps. Security researcher Tommy Mysk now points out in a tweet that Google is doing something similar in Chrome. By default, information from motion sensors such as your phone’s accelerometer is provided to websites when they request it. That while movement data in your browser is relevant for very few applications. An example is when you are navigating from the web version of Google Maps – and thus are on the move – but in most cases you are more likely to use the app.
This is how you turn it off
However, Google itself states in Chrome’s settings that it is “recommended” to share information about your motion sensors with websites. Mysk thinks this is absurd and advises users to turn it off in your browser’s settings. That works like this:
- Open Google Chrome on your phone
- Tap the at the top right menu with the three dots
- Choose Institutions
- Press Site Settings
- Tap on motion sensors
- Turn off the switch
Remove Chrome
Mysk also declares against Forbes that Google’s revenue model with apps like Chrome is in fact incompatible with a focus on privacy. If you are concerned about the data that the browser collects, it is therefore better to remove the browser and get started with an alternative, the security researcher says.
We help you on your way in our article: “The 5 best browsers for Android that respect your privacy.” This year there was a privacy theme week on Androidworld. If you want to learn more about privacy on your phone, dive into our background and tip articles here. What do you think? Is it better to uninstall Chrome and test an alternative? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this article. Do you have nothing at all to hide? Then read this article.
– Thanks for information from Androidworld. Source