In the internet age, we are increasingly conscious of our personal data and how our identity can be downloaded to the cloud; however, as it turns out, popularity and data collection go hand in hand, with Chrome being the browser that harvests the most data from its users. What are the implications, and is your precious data in safe hands?
Browsers
Chrome is fast, reliable, and convenient; however, this doesn’t mean you want it collecting over 20 types of data from you, from financial details to location and search history.
Admittedly, the runners-up aren’t much better, with Bing collecting 12 types and Safari and Firefox both sneaking eight types out of your back pocket.
You are probably wondering what is typically done with this data, so let’s take a look:
Data collection
In news headlines, data collection is an invasion of privacy. In the business world, data collection has a far simpler and more agreeable meaning, which is a way to secure more customers.
For a reliable and trustworthy data collection company, the internet is your friend. You can find plenty of services for a data collection company online, such as https://shepper.com, that are willing to tailor their work to your needs.
Privacy concerns regarding data are unshakeable, but a professional data collection company will responsibly use the data to help businesses optimise their services without compromising the security of their users.
Growing concerns and staying safe
The idea of Chrome siphoning your personal data for its own mysterious use may be a daunting one, but it is not the end of the world. Your data will often end up with third parties for advertising and the like, rather than the law enforcement agent pursuing you as you have possibly envisioned.
Your data also doesn’t have to be exposed for all to see. VPNs and privacy-focused browsers have been on the rise, enabling users to safeguard their data. Governments have also begun cracking down on the policies regarding data collection, which is another sign of awareness and, in turn, ethicality.