About two years ago, I decided to break up with Google Chrome. It wasn’t easy at first—like most people, I used it for everything. But after digging into what it was actually doing behind the scenes, I realized: Chrome wasn’t just a browser. It was a data vacuum with a slick interface.
Here’s why I finally said goodbye:
1. It Watches Everything You Do
Chrome tracks you—constantly. It syncs your entire digital life across devices: search history, bookmarks, passwords, autofill data, you name it. Even if you pause Google’s “Web & App Activity,” it still collects some data “for performance.” Translation: it never really stops watching.
2. It Sends Your Keystrokes to Google
Start typing in the search bar? Chrome is already sending that data to Google to offer autocomplete suggestions. That’s right—before you even hit enter, Google knows what you’re thinking about typing.
3. Safe Browsing… Comes at a Cost
Chrome’s “Safe Browsing” feature sounds helpful, but it means the browser is constantly checking your URLs against Google’s database. This includes real-time requests that log parts of your IP and visited sites.
4. It Signs You In Automatically
Ever logged into Gmail and noticed Chrome quietly signed you into the browser too? That’s not an accident—it’s by design. Google blurs the line between using its services and giving it access to everything you do in your browser.
5. It Feeds the Google Ad Machine
Even though third-party cookies are getting phased out, Google doesn’t need them. Chrome collects first-party data (from your search, YouTube habits, etc.) and connects the dots. It’s the perfect tool to feed its advertising empire.
6. It’s Resource-Hungry
Beyond privacy, Chrome was a battery drainer and RAM hog, especially on iOS. I noticed other browsers were just… smoother.
So What Did I Switch To?
I moved to browsers that actually value privacy—like Brave, Firefox Focus, and even Safari with strict tracking prevention enabled. They aren’t perfect, but at least they aren’t trying to monetize my attention every second I’m online.
Final Thought
If a browser is free but backed by a company worth over a trillion dollars, you’re the product. I don’t want my browser to be a spy. I just want it to open websites.