Google has engulfed the largest chunk of netizens with their convenient and user-friendly ecosystem. With internet surfing throughout the day, it is impossible to detach ourselves from the synchronized harmony of Google.
Without a doubt, Google’s product lines (a total of 251 products) are one of the finest codings in this decade. Just the Google search engine has 5.6 billion searches in a day.
Although Google has become one of the most used applications, what if we told you about privacy hazards that most of us are not aware of? Let us walk you through the risks that we are exposed to each day while using Google products.
Let us start with Google Chrome – a widely used browser.
Though its challenges if ignored could cost us big time.
Privacy
The Google algorithms track us at all apps we use and know our routine better than anyone else. Though chrome keeps our data and information safe from hackers and questionable companies, who will question Google?
They hold the power to track us via all Google applications and cause all browsing activities are linked to related Google accounts.
You might think – Ah! I log out of Google every time. However, it does not save you much.
Cause the moment you log into either one of the apps all your information is directed to Google.
You must be thinking, what about Incognito? Well, we are coming to that. Though it does not save site data, entered information or history but it certainly tracks and gathers information about browsing.
Google is not a Search Engine But an Advertising Company
Google Chrome is widely used on all devices iPhones, Android Phones, Windows Laptops, iPads, desktops, and tablets. It being the most popular browser it encapsulates 65.89% of the market share in 2020.
Google’s business model revolves around advertisements. Most of the targeted ads inside the web are informed by Google’s database. An ad-free Chrome experience is impossible. Content-blocking extensions can disable and block a few ads, but not all of them.
Google’s search results and click-baits are so accurate that advertisers across the globe invest heavily in their advertising. In 2017, Google created a revenue of $95.38 billion with its advertising. Google’s Ad network is the most trusted by advertisers at the cost of our personal data.
What makes the audience filtration so accurate? It’s the data captured by Google – so that it can clearly pick the right audience for each ad based on behavior, search patterns, habit, need, likes and so many such information.
System and Battery Hogger
Google recently disabled a RAM-saving feature from Microsoft that let Windows 10 users curb Chrome’s system bog, citing performance issues. Chrome has been known for speed and execution but over the years developments have led to a battery-ruining monster. Google is trying and experimenting to find the solution to this issue, but we see no clear answers to it.
Chrome is the only chromium to use up battery life to unimaginable extents. Other chromium-based browsers such as Edge and Brave exhibit exceptional battery performance. Moreover, non-chromium options such as Safari and Firefox also have great battery results.
Understand Cookies
Have you ever come across the cookies’ privacy option when you open a new site? Yes, Google places a cookie every time a service is used. This collects all the required data to show you the targeted ads. Cookies are not only linked to your Gmail account but to each service like YouTube, Google Maps, Google Photos, or any other. Deleting cookies from chrome is not the answer. Cookies are updated with every app or service used by you.
Fingerprinting and Profiling
Google’s privacy policy is a nightmare dressed in a daydream!
A fingerprint machine is used to collect information on a remote computing device for identification. Even if you turn off cookies and other privacy settings, Google will still find you. Fingerprints can lead to partial or complete identification of a person.
In addition, Google not only creates user profiles, but also devices profiling.
Google privacy issues are on the discussion panel for more than a decade, but to no avail.
Not The Best, Anymore!
When Google Chrome was introduced, they had no competitors. The evolution of technology and the internet gave birth to other options over the years. There are many excellent options to choose from which offer a better experience than Chrome and keeps you from being tracked.
What Are The Other Alternatives?
Google raised bars for other browsers with their impeccable user-friendly and seamless use. However with time, other chromium browsers have entered the market and we fail to recognize them.
Firefox mobile browser for Android and Brave for desktop are the options you should definitely give a try to. Even pre-installed browsers like Microsoft’s Edge Chromium and Apple’s Safari are better. Furthermore, Safari might just be the best browser on Mac.
Are you ready to abandon Chrome and adopt new options?