Microsoft Says Google Chrome Steals Your Privacy
Microsoft has hit out at Google's Chrome browser, claiming that it doesn't respect users' privacy.
Microsoft recently posted a video called "Google Chrome Steals Your Privacy" to its TechNet Website. The video explained why Microsoft didn't trust Chrome's privacy and used Internet Explorer 8 as a comparison.
The video has since disappeared but not before Ars Technica saw it and dissected the accusations made. Ars reports that the main accusation Microsoft makes is that Google's move to consolidate both the search and address bar means more of your information is being sent to Google. IE8, on the other hand, keeps these separate and sends less of your information to the search provider.
"As I start to type an address into the address bar, Fiddler [a Web debugging proxy] shows that for nearly every character I type, Chrome sends a request back to Google," Ars cites IE product manager Pete LePage as saying. "I haven't even hit enter yet to load the website and Google is already getting information about the domain and sites I'm visiting."
Next LePage shows us how different things look when you do the same thing using Internet Explorer 8. He begins to type the same address into the URL bar and sure enough, nothing is sent to Microsoft until he presses enter.
Ars Technica's Emil Protalinski writes that the way LePage worded his first argument presents a problem.
"LePage makes an important mistake in his accusation against Google: his statement should not be "Chrome sends a request back to Google" but it should be "Chrome sends a request back to the search provider." He makes this distinction with IE8 but does not with Chrome. The information is being sent so that the search provider can help the user choose a query right in their browser."
Protalinski goes on to say that after downloading Fiddler, it became apparent that Chrome could also be set to send that information to Bing. Not only that but the same "sending information on every keystroke" behaviour is only true for the address bar.
"As we suspected, Chrome can be set to send information on every keystroke to Bing (or any other search engine that supports Search Suggestions) instead of Google. The same behavior occurs in IE8, but only in the search bar. LePage is only correct in his assertion that IE8 does not send information to anyone when the user types into the address bar."
[EDIT] Some kind soul has uploaded the video to YouTube. Check it out for yourself below.
[Update] Have added a video highlighting all the ins and outs of Google Chrome privacy.
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April's fools.
their just jealous google survived the hackathon. IE is the most unprivate browser b/c its widely used and literally every version has been hacked. Same goes for the OS.
Their so silly for removing the video anything that gets put on the internet is permanent.
I like Firefox + AD Block + NoScript. Works beautifully for me. In addition, Firefox has the same thing as inPrivate browsing, just a different name. I guess that IE8 could be good for people who don't want to download 3rd party plugins (mentioned above), but honestly, I think the majority of people here enjoy the personal customization of their software.
Actually, I kinda like how chrome predicts what you're searching for. It's convenient.
Yes yes how about you talk on disadvantages of IE8 compared with Chrome?
Actually this is the reason I don't use Chrome, I don't feel like being spied 24/7 by Google, no matter how much I like them. Firefox for the win!
Actually, I kinda like how chrome predicts what you're searching for. It's convenient.
autocomplete does not require sending data back and fourth
I like Firefox + AD Block + NoScript. Works beautifully for me. In addition, Firefox has the same thing as inPrivate browsing, just a different name. I guess that IE8 could be good for people who don't want to download 3rd party plugins (mentioned above), but honestly, I think the majority of people here enjoy the personal customization of their software.
I rather use Firefox and Opera than Chrome or IE. Webkit also has a history of security flaws. IE's history is just that they're more widely used. Webkits is worse in terms of number of flaws/holes.
I saw this yesterday. The video failed to mention that when you use the search bar in IE8 it does the same exact thing. It also failed to mention that it doesn't send requests to Google in specific, it sends them to whatever your default search provider is. Very pathetic attempt to glorify your terrible browser Microsoft.
autocomplete does not require sending data back and fourth
Huh? We're not talking about autocomplete based on YOUR prior searches (which of course should be cached on your local pc).
The article talks about "Search Suggestions" which of course needs to send the data to the search provider since the suggestions are based on what other users searched for based on the partial string already typed into the search field.
I for one have come to appreciate the feature, but have no interest in Google (or anyone else) knowing what I type into my address bar to visit sites directly.
I'm with MS on this one .. what you type into the address bar is none of their business.
Huh? We're not talking about autocomplete based on YOUR prior searches (which of course should be cached on your local pc). The article talks about "Search Suggestions" which of course needs to send the data to the search provider since the suggestions are based on what other users searched for based on the partial string already typed into the search field.I for one have come to appreciate the feature, but have no interest in Google (or anyone else) knowing what I type into my address bar to visit sites directly. I'm with MS on this one .. what you type into the address bar is none of their business.
You hit the nail on the head. I don't want Google or Bing or (insert search engine here) knowing what I'm typing into my address bar directly. It sounds like a good idea but it really isn't and is very susceptible to abuse.
Google Chrome has a built in no-script feature in its content settings menu from Google Chrome 4.1. There are also many ad-block extensions available.
What do you have to hide? Google is everywhere and on pretty much on very browser there is. So either way you still giving the information to someone. Bing is not such a great search tool as they say it is. I find Google Chrome to be more reasonable and easy to use. What I think is that since that attach of the hackathon, Google was the only one to have survived the attack. I also used Firefox as well at he same time. Both are great browsers and IE8 not so great.
Ugh, this video makes those "I'm a PC" commercials seem so true....
I can see this going out of hand, regardless of the browser.
User : Let's learn more about Christianity... Let's see, Ch...
Search Suggestion : Are you looking for "Child pornography"?
User : Wait... what? That's not right!
this is why firefox is the best of the best ...
I would definitely prefer Chrome over IE... That may just be why I am using it right now...
I don't want my browser, Google or Microsoft suggesting, listening, correcting or doing anything else for me. I know how to type an address into the address bar. If I feel like typing ftp://username@192.168.1.5/my_porn_collection/ I don't need Google journaling my porn viewing.
Who cares. Obviously users like me use chrome because of that feature. I love my privacy invaded at all times. Makes me feel like I'm in some type of naughty video... Oops I said too much.
In addition, Firefox has the same thing as inPrivate browsing, just a different name.
So does chrome.
Everything you search for on Google is kept for 18 months (and every other search engine does the same for legal reasons). I personally like the feature, and since I don't use Chrome to view any thing internally, I don't see any privacy issues with this specific feature.
But in this case, I seriously doubt many people here have ever stopped and thought for a second before they search for something Google. @bounty, how much of that porn collection was found using Google? the actual search results to find said porn would be more embarrassing than searching for an internal system someone outside your LAN couldn't access.
I doubt any of you think of the ramifications of what you search Google, so why do you care if they (or any other search provider of your choice) get a few word and sentence fragments more?
the guy just speaks BS aboout content being sent to google(search provider), The user input is just used by the search provider for suggestions...
it happens with all modern browsers including ff so
I'm with MS on this one .. what you type into the address bar is none of their business.
What the hell are you people typing into a browser address bar that needs to be kept private? Is your personal homepage set to match your SSN or your mistress's phone number or something?
Isn't Google Chrome the brower that had a clause in the EULA that gave Google rights to anything you uploaded through the browser?
Business as usual in Microsoft. Every time MS has hard time keeping up with competitor they start spreading FUD. (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) For some time MS is trying to appear less 'evil' and someone from inside MS comes out to prove that internal culture of this corporation has not change at all.
Wise men sad it best: "The wolf will change its skin, but it will never change its character"
Doesn't matter how secure your browser is. Your computer is still owned by the botnet.
Anytime you type an address in the URL entry on any browser you are sharing information about where you are going. Whether it be the DNS provider, the ISP or the site you are visiting, any or all of them know you want to go there. Also, when you use the search bar on ie8, you are sharing information about your search with bing.
If you want to keep your information from getting into the hands of others, stay off the internet.
Google, the most intrusive corporation on the planet. Why do people still defend these jagoffs?
Incognito browsing doesn't send anything to Google, it uses the locally cached browsing history on your computer. Also, why did MS use Chrome 3.0 instead of the 4.0 that is out now? Yea, let's compare Chrome 4.0 with IE 6 and see how relevant that is today. Plus, the whole search bar in the address bar thing has no effect on security whatsoever. IE8 actually does the same thing, if your site doesn't come up with anything it just searches Bing. And pressing Ctrl+E brings up a question mark in Chrome indicating that you're searching Google instead of entering an address in. Try actually using the browser before you rip on it MS.
autocomplete does not require sending data back and fourth
FAIL!