Data Collection: Google Chrome Tops the List, Tor Browser Comes Out on Top

By Netvora Tech News

Google Chrome, the most popular mobile browser, collects the most user data, according to a study conducted by Surfshark. The VPN provider analyzed the types of data collected by Chrome and nine other browsers, revealing that Chrome gathers data types that no other browser does. Chrome collects 20 different data types, including contact information, financial details, location data, browsing history, search history, user content, identifiers, usage data, diagnostic data, and more.

What's more concerning is that Chrome is the only browser that collects financial information, such as payment methods, credit card numbers, or account details. It also collects a list of user contacts, including phone numbers, address books, or social graphs.

To put this into perspective, the other nine browsers examined collect an average of six data types, with Bing, the second most data-hungry browser, collecting 12 data types. The data collection by Chrome is also linked to the integration of Google services within the browser, such as Gmail and Maps, which also collect user data.

Browsers' Data Collection Habits

The study found that Tor Browser stands out as the best performer, collecting no user data at all. Brave Browser also scores well in the study. Firefox and Safari fall in the middle of the pack, collecting contact information, usage data, and diagnostic information, but not the most sensitive data.

Tor Browser: collects no user data
Brave Browser: collects minimal user data
Firefox and Safari: collect contact information, usage data, and diagnostic information
Google Chrome: collects 20 different data types, including financial information and user contacts

The findings of the study highlight the importance of understanding how browsers collect and use user data. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it's crucial for users to stay informed about their online privacy and take steps to protect their data.