Update to Google Chrome Automatically Logs Users Into the Browser

Google introduced the latest version of its popular browser, Chrome 69, but with a privacy hiccup.

The browser now automatically logs users in whenever they access a Google-owned site, ZDnet reports. The tech giant did not advertise this new function to users. 

Google engineer Adrienne Porter Felt said that this automatic sign-in function does not automatically upload data: 

Hi all, I want to share more info about recent changes to Chrome sign-in. Chrome desktop now tells you that you're "signed in" whenever you're signed in to a Google website. This does NOT mean that Chrome is automatically sending your browsing history to your Google account! 1/

— Adrienne Porter Felt (@__apf__) September 24, 2018

Felt explained the reason Google included the function was included to prevent mix-ups for those who share computers and browsers with other users. Felt said that user data won't be uploaded unless they turn on Sync, which is the system that connects a user's Google account to the browser, allowing them to upload passwords and history to Google servers.

Sync is not turned on unless you later turn it on.

— Adrienne Porter Felt (@__apf__) September 22, 2018

Sync has been around for several years, so most Chrome users are familiar with it. But many of these users still might prefer to log in to Chrome manually or at least make the conscious decision not to log in to Chrome at all. 

While this concern around this new browser feature might be minor, tech users are increasingly concerned with privacy.  Google has also recently missed the privacy mark when it comes to email and location tracking.