Microsoft Edge might have just been caught red-handed helping itself to
Google Chrome user data

Date:
Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:27:29 +0000

Description:
Microsoft faces backlash for possibly taking user data from Google Chrome without permission, testing user patience and privacy boundaries.

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Microsoft has had a history of implementing moves that leave users at best confused, and at worst very annoyed, and it looks like becoming the worlds most valuable company by market cap hasnt discouraged it in the slightest.

This time, Microsoft is being accused of siphoning data from browsers made by other tech companies. Apparently, having its own proprietary browser, Microsoft Edge , and all the user data it accumulates with that isnt enough.

Neowin reports that users are angered because Microsoft is being accused of not requesting permission to take data like opened tabs and more from Google Chrome . Like Google Chrome itself and other browsers, Edge also has a
feature where you can migrate and sync your data and saved information from another browser, allowing you to switch more easily.

When you first download and set up Edge, youll be asked if youd like to
permit Edge to access this information and do this, but is otherwise turned off by default. Bug or intentional data plucking?

This migration option is fairly commonplace, but heres where the problem
comes in: Edge is seemingly reaching in and nabbing that kind of data from Chrome (if you have both installed) even when youve not given it the permission to do so.

The Verges Tom Warren very explicitly called Microsoft out for doing just that , explaining how after installing a Windows 11 update and rebooting his PC, Microsoft Edge opened with his Google Chrome tabs from his last session even though he didnt authorize Edge to do that.

He investigated the matter, found that this happened on two devices, and then went to X (formerly Twitter) to reach out and see if others had shared his experience. Turns out, this wasnt an isolated incident as many users echoed Warrens experience. I installed the latest Windows 11 update (KB5034204) and it rebooted and automatically opened Microsoft Edge with all the Chrome tabs
I had open before installing the update couldn't believe my eyes. Anyone
else had this? January 24, 2024 See more

However, Neowin attempted to replicate this scenario on PC and on virtual machines, but was unsuccessful. Its currently unclear if this was a bug or an intentional move. So far, Microsoft hasnt clarified this so Ive reached out
to get a comment on the situation, and I will update this story when I hear back.

If this is indeed intentional, then its a pretty egregious overstepping of user privacy, and Microsoft is in danger of upsetting a lot of its users with the move. Users have already been frustrated and annoyed with Microsofts behavior, like insistently questioning why users want to download Google Chrome , and continuously bugging users to transition to using Microsoft Edge and Bing .

Developments like this will no doubt continue to annoy users, which considering that Microsoft wants to be the go-to AI-assisted software powerhouse (e.g. with the introduction of Windows Copilot ), does not bode well. On the other hand, if this is an innocent bug, Microsoft should still quickly move to address and fix the issue, before it loses any more goodwill. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Hey Microsoft, stop dumping Edge shortcuts on my desktop - I'm never going to use it Can AI help Arc browser take on Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge? Edge vs Chrome: Heres why theres only one winner
for productivity fans



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/browsers/microsoft-edge-might-have-just-be en-caught-red-handed-helping-itself-to-google-chrome-user-data


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