Technology
Google finally admits data collection in Chrome's 'incognito' mode
Google is finally revealing it is collecting your data if you use Google Chrome, even if you use incognito mode. This comes after the internet giant agreed to settle for $5 billion to avoid a 2020 lawsuit.
The lawsuit claimed Google collected information like your IP address, device data and even browser history — despite incognito mode seemingly offering a private browsing experience. Google claimed it warned users about websites potentially tracking user activity in order to dismiss the lawsuit.
However, a judge ruled that Google never explicitly told users it was tracking them and collecting information. And if users weren’t aware, they couldn’t consent to data collection.
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What’s happened since Google agreed to settle the lawsuit
Google Chrome on smartphone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Since Google agreed to settle last month, two major developments have happened: Google has updated its disclaimer in incognito mode, according to MSPowerUser, and lawyers have been working to finalize a settlement.
So far, Google has only updated the disclaimer in its Canary developer tool on Windows, Android and other devices. If you use it and go into incognito mode, you’ll see a message that says:
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“Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved.”
Google Chrome Incognito Mode. (Google)
Lawyers also have until Feb. 24 to present the court with a finalized settlement agreement. Plaintiffs originally wanted $5,000 in damages per user for violating federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.
We reached out to Google, and a spokesperson released this statement to Cyberguy:
“Incognito mode in Chrome will continue to give people the choice to browse the internet without their activity being saved to their browser or device.”
MORE: HOMELAND SECURITY WARNS FEDERAL AGENCIES OF HACKERS TARGETING GOOGLE CHROME AND EXCEL SPREADSHEETS
How to stay private when browsing the internet
Keeping your information private while browsing the internet can be a tough task. However, here are some easy ways to keep your data away from any prying eyes:
Turn off “web & app” activity
“Web & App” Activity is basically Google’s main tool to collect your data. Google assumes you have given them access to your online activity when this setting is on. Google claims it does not sell your personal information to anyone. However, Google may use your activity data to show you personalized ads on Google sites and apps and on sites and apps that partner with Google to show ads.
How to turn “web & app” activity off using a Mac
- On the Google Chrome page, click on your icon in the top right corner and select Manage your Google Account, or click on this link
- In the top left, click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
- In the box, the first row says Web & App Activity; Click on the blue check next to the word On
- Find the box that says Web & App Activity and click Turn Off on the right
- Select Turn off and Delete activity
- Click Next in the bottom right
- Select any Google products you wish to delete your activity by selecting its respective box to the right, checking it off, or clicking Select All in the top right to delete all activity
- Click Next and then Delete once you have confirmed you want to delete. Then tap Got it.
Turning “web & app” activity off using a PC
- On the Google Chrome page, go to Activity controls in a web browser. To turn off web and app activity on your PC, you can access your Activity Controls in a web browser. If you’re not signed in to your Google account, you’ll be prompted to do so
- Click Turn Off under “Web & App Activity.” You’ll see this option near the top of the page
- Scroll down and click the Pause button. You won’t be able to click Pause until you’ve scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you enable it again. To delete your Web & App Activity history, click Delete old activity under “Setting is Off” and then select a time range. Click Got It when you’re finished to return to the previous screen.
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How to turn “web & app” activity off using iPhone
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account or click on this link
- Then tap Data & Privacy near the top of the screen
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
Google Account page. (Google)
- In the box, the first row says Web & App Activity; Click on the > icon
- Find the box that says Web & App Activity and click Turn Off on the right
- Select Turn off and Delete activity
- Click Next in the bottom right
- Select any Google products you wish to delete your activity by selecting its respective box to the right, checking it off, or clicking Select All in the top right to delete all activity
- Click Next and then Delete once you have confirmed you want to delete. Then tap Got it.
How to turn “web & app” activity off using Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account, or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
- Find the row that says Web & App Activity and click the > icon
- Find the box that says Web & App Activity and click Turn Off on the right
- Select Turn off and Delete activity
- Click Next in the bottom right
- Select any Google products you wish to delete your activity by selecting its respective box to the right, checking it off, or clicking Select All in the top right to delete all activity
- Click Next and then Delete once you have confirmed you want to delete. Then tap Got it.
Limit data sharing with sites and services
While there are many valid reasons for allowing Google to give third-party apps and services access to your data, it puts your privacy at risk. Google can track whenever you sign in to another app with your Google sign-in and which service.
How to turn off data sharing with sites and services on Mac
- On the Google Chrome page, click on your icon in the top right corner and select Manage your Google Account, or click on this link
- In the top left, click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box under the heading Data from apps and services you use
- Click on Third-party apps & services
- Select any apps you wish to get rid of Google’s connections with
- Click the box on the bottom that says Delete all connections you have with [website] and click confirm
Turning off data sharing with sites and services on PC
- On the Google Chrome page, click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner and select Settings
- Then, click Privacy and security
Google Settings page. (Google)
- Next, tap Site settings
- Here, you can manage how Chrome handles cookies, location, camera, microphone, notifications, and other permissions for different sites
- You can also clear your browsing data and disable third-party services from accessing your data
How to turn off data sharing with sites and services on iPhone
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner and select your
- Select Google Account, Or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box under the heading Data from apps and services you use
- Click on Third-party apps & services
- Scroll down and select any apps you wish to get rid of Google’s connections with by clicking on it
- Next, scroll down and click the box on the bottom that says Delete all connections you have with [website] and click confirm
How to turn off data sharing with sites and services on Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account, or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box under the heading Data from apps and services you use
- Click on Third-party apps & services
- Select any apps you wish to get rid of Google’s connections with by clicking on it
- Click the box on the bottom that says Delete all connections you have with [website] and click confirm
Turn off Location History
Google can track the places you go and collect your location data. However, the tricky thing with this setting is that you must have Web & App activity turned off for your Location History to be fully turned off.
How to turn off Location History on Mac
- On the Google Chrome page, click on your icon in the top right corner and select Manage your Google Account, or click on this link
- In the top left, click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
- Click on the row that says Location History
- Click on the box that says Turn off
- Select Turn off again and then Got it
MORE: HOW TO CHECK THAT YOU’RE NOT ACCIDENTALLY SHARING YOUR LOCATION
How to turn off “web & app” activity using a PC
- On the Google Chrome page, go to Activity controls in a web browser. To turn off web and app activity on your PC, you can access your Activity Controls in a web browser. If you’re not signed in to your Google account, you’ll be prompted to do so
- Click Turn Off under “Web & App Activity.” You’ll see this option near the top of the page
- Scroll down and click the Pause button. You won’t be able to click Pause until you’ve scrolled to the bottom of the page. This pauses your web and search activity until you enable it again. To delete your Web & App Activity history, click Delete old activity under “Setting is Off” and then select a time range. Click Got It when you’re finished to return to the previous screen
How to turn Location History off on iPhone
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select your Google Account or click on this link
- At the top, click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
- Click on the row that says Location History
Google Location History setting. (Google)
- Click on the box that says Turn off
- Select Turn off again and then Got it
How to turn off Location History on Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account, or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Scroll down and find the box that says History Settings
- Click on the row that says Location History
- Click on the box that says Turn off
- Select Turn off again and then Got it
Stop targeted ads
Google’s targeted ads can be a bit too specific for comfort, but there is a way to turn them off:
How to stop targeted ads on Mac
- On the Google Chrome page, click on your icon in the top right corner and select Manage your Google Account, or click on this link
- In the top left, click on Data & Privacy
- Find the box that is titled Personalized ads and click on My Ad Center
- In the top right corner, click on the box that says Personalized ads, and then click on Turn Off in the bottom right of the next box. Then tap Got it
How to stop targeted ads on iPhone
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account, or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Find the box that is titled Personalized Ads and click on My Ad Center
- In the top right corner, click where it says On
- Then on the bottom right, click where it says Turn Off
- Then tap Got it
How to stop targeted ads on Android
- On the Google home page, click on your icon in the top right corner
- Select Google Account, or click on this link
- Click on Data & Privacy
- Find the box that is titled Personalized ads and click on My Ad Center
- In the top right corner, click where it says ON next to Personalized ads
- Scroll down and click Turn Off in the bottom right
- Then click Got it
Person on Google home page. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Use a VPN for better privacy
Consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and to identify your potential location on websites that you visit. Many sites can read your IP address and, depending on their privacy settings, may display the city from which you are corresponding. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
Kurt’s key takeaways
While it can be exhausting taking so many precautions to protect your data, it really pays off at the end of the day. Taking a few steps can make all the difference. But by not protecting yourself, you are leaving yourself susceptible to data collection, targeted ads and even worse. At the end of the day, protecting your privacy is your responsibility.
How do you protect yourself from data collection? Are you worried about Google collecting your data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Maraget Atwood, the storied author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin, was interviewed as part of the Babell Literary and Cultural Festival in Porto, Portugal. As it usually does at these things, the issue of AI came up, and Atwood didn’t mince words.
According to Deadline’s recap, Atwood said she’d used an AI chatbot exactly once, Anthropic’s Claude, and came away unimpressed. She was looking for information about the British detective series Father Brown and, well:
”Claude gave me the wrong answer, or it lied. Of course, it didn’t know it was lying because it’s not a human being; it’s a large language model… It had skimmed and sampled a lot of television reviews, but they never give away the ending in online criticism, so it was misled by the things it had read about the show.”
She didn’t have particularly kind words for the people who rely on AI either, calling them “opportunists” looking for the easy way out. But of course, as she pointed out, all LLMs are only as good as the data they’re fed, and putting your faith in a machine trained on scraped, previously published, and possibly out-of-date information isn’t the best idea.
“Human beings are not robots, but they are opportunists, so if there’s an easy way to cheat and it’s hard to detect, people will do it… But the thing about AI is that it’s garbage in, garbage out. Even people who use it for business reasons have to check it because it makes mistakes.”
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A plain white envelope shows up in your mailbox. It is addressed to you. It may even have a tracking number. The sender’s name looks unfamiliar, but the delivery seems real. Then you open it. Nothing is inside. No note. No product. No explanation.
That would make anyone curious. And that is exactly what scammers may be counting on. Investigators and consumer protection groups have warned that empty envelopes and mystery packages can be tied to a scam known as brushing. In a more dangerous version, the package may include a QR code that tries to send you to a fake website or steal your personal information.
The bigger risk is what scammers hope you do next. If they can get you to scan a QR code, click a link, call a fake number or enter personal information, that strange envelope can turn into a much bigger problem.
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QR CODE SCAMS RISE AS 73% OF AMERICANS SCAN WITHOUT CHECKING
A mystery envelope may look harmless, but it can be a sign that your name and address are already being used in a brushing scam. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What is the empty envelope scam?
The empty envelope scam is often connected to brushing. That is when a third-party seller sends a cheap item, or sometimes an empty envelope, to a real person’s address to make it look like a real order was delivered.
Once the package gets marked as delivered, a shady seller may use that delivery record to post a fake “verified buyer” review on an online marketplace. Those reviews can make junk products look more popular than they really are.
Recent reports describe people receiving small white padded envelopes from unfamiliar or possibly fake sender names. Some people get them more than once. Others receive cheap trinkets, packing material or nothing at all.
That may seem like a strange nuisance. But to me, the bigger concern is this: someone may already have your name and home address.
Why scammers send empty envelopes
Scammers do not need to send you anything valuable. They only need a tracking number that shows something arrived at a real home. Here is how the scam often works:
A scammer gets your name and address from a data broker, public record, old breach or online leak. Then they create a fake order using your information. Next, they mail a cheap item or an empty envelope to your home.
After the delivery gets marked as complete, the seller can make it appear that you bought the product. A fake positive review may then appear under your name or account details. That helps bad sellers boost ratings and fool real shoppers. It also shows that your personal information may already be floating around, where scammers can grab it.
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Scammers may use real deliveries, empty envelopes or cheap items to create fake “verified buyer” reviews online. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The QR code twist makes this scam more dangerous
Some mystery packages now include a QR code. The message may sound harmless. It may say something like “scan to see who sent this gift” or “scan to verify delivery.” Do not scan it.
A QR code is a hidden link. You cannot easily see where it leads before your phone reads it. Scammers know curiosity is powerful, especially when a package arrives with your name on it.
That QR code may send you to a fake website that asks for your name, phone number, address, credit card, bank login or shopping account password. It may also try to trick you into entering a one-time verification code.
That is where the real financial risk begins. If you give scammers your login details or banking information, they may be able to take over accounts, make purchases or access payment apps.
What to do if you receive an empty envelope
If an envelope or package arrives and you did not order it, do not panic. Treat it as a warning sign and take a few smart steps.
1) Do not scan any QR code
Even if the card says you need to scan it to identify the sender, skip it. Go directly to the retailer, shipper or official website yourself.
2) Do not call mystery phone numbers
Scammers may include a fake customer service number or website inside the package. If you need to contact Amazon, Walmart, eBay, USPS, UPS or FedEx, type the official website into your browser or use the company’s official app.
3) Check your shopping accounts
Log in directly to your Amazon, Walmart, eBay, TikTok Shop and other shopping accounts. Look for orders you do not recognize, strange reviews, changed addresses or unfamiliar payment methods.
4) Change important passwords
Start with your email, shopping accounts and financial accounts. Use strong, unique passwords and consider using a password manager to create and store them safely. Do not reuse the same password across multiple sites. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com
5) Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication, also called 2FA, adds a second step to your login so a password alone isn’t enough. Use an authenticator app when possible. It gives you stronger protection than text messages and makes it harder for a scammer to get into your accounts.
6) Watch your bank and credit card statements
Look for small test charges, unfamiliar purchases, new subscriptions or withdrawals you did not make. Report anything suspicious to your bank right away.
7) Check your credit reports
If you think your identity may be at risk, review your credit reports. You can also consider a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
8) Report the package
Report suspicious packages to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report. You can also file a scam report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. If a retailer’s name appears on the label, report it directly through that retailer’s official site.
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If an unexpected envelope includes a QR code, do not scan it. Go directly to the retailer, shipper or official website instead. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What if you already scanned the QR code?
Scanning a QR code does not always mean your accounts are compromised. But if you entered information, downloaded an app or typed in a verification code, act quickly.
- Close the browser window and stop using the site.
- Do not enter any more personal or financial information.
- Change the password for any account you entered and use a password manager to create and store a strong, unique replacement.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
- Check your bank and credit card accounts for suspicious activity.
- Contact your bank if you entered payment information.
- Run a security scan on your phone or computer with a strong antivirus software.
- Delete any app you installed from the QR code.
- Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- If you entered your Social Security number, banking login or other sensitive information, consider freezing your credit.
Protect your phone from malicious links and QR codes
A good security tool can help block phishing websites, unsafe links and malicious downloads before they cause damage. We recommend using a strong antivirus software because it adds protection beyond basic virus scanning. It includes phishing protection, scam protection and web threat blocking for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Reduce the personal data scammers can use
Brushing scams often start because your name, home address, phone number or other details are already online. Data brokers collect and sell this information. Scammers can use it to make their tricks feel more believable. A data removal service can help reduce your exposure by requesting that your personal information be removed from broker sites. We recommend using a good data removal service to help remove your personal information from data broker sites and reduce the amount of data scammers can use to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
An empty envelope may look harmless, but it can be a sign that your personal information is already being misused. The most important move is to avoid anything inside the package that tries to pull you into another step. Do not scan QR codes from mystery packages. Do not call unknown numbers printed on cards. Do not enter personal information on a website you reached from a package you never ordered. Scammers are counting on curiosity. Slow down, go directly to official websites and secure your accounts before a strange envelope turns into a much bigger headache.
Have you received an empty envelope or mystery package you never ordered? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
We’ve arrived at the final day of Prime Day, which at this point should probably be called “Prime Week.” We’ve found discounts on all manner of gadgets, including TVs, smart home tech, chargers, headphones, and more. Some of the best deals have started selling out at some retailers, so if you’ve been craving a popular upgrade like the AirPods Max 2, time is running low.
The good news is that our team is still hard at work, and in addition to the deals that remain in stock, the retailers sometimes save up a few extras for the last day (like this Echo Spot that got a little cheaper). This roundup is our pride and joy; the culmination of over four days of deal hunting by our entire team. We’ve worked tirelessly for the last week and arrived at a list of over 120 discounted items (and growing) that we’re happy to share with you.
Of course, our Prime Day coverage spans every category The Verge staff touches, and is a great place to explore the full breadth of discounts we’re able to find on the stuff we’ve tested, regularly use, and love. We genuinely enjoy helping you save on cool tech and fun gadgets that are actually worth your hard-earned money, especially when everything is getting more expensive.
Smartwatch and wearable deals
Home theater and speaker deals
Update, June 26th: Struck some out of deals near the end of the sale.
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