Amid growing global concerns over data privacy and security, Google has announced that it will be further tightening guidelines for third-party developers for accessing user data for Chrome extensions and Google Drive.
‘Clear rules needed’
“Third-party apps and websites create services that millions of people use to get things done and customise their online experience. To make this ecosystem successful, people need to be confident their data is secure, and developers need clear rules of the road,” Google’s chief privacy officer Keith Enright said on Friday.
The Chrome Web Store offers about 1.8 lakh extensions and nearly half of all Chrome desktop users actively use these to customise their browser. Citing an example of the guideline, Mr. Enright said if there was more than one permission that could be used to implement a feature, extensions must use the permission with access to the least amount of data. “Google has doubled down on the commitment to provide best-in-class, privacy settings and controls across all of our products and services… We’ve made significant investments in getting this right... ensure that our products are continuing to innovate and reflect new and improved features to empower users to remain in control of their online experience,” he said.
Incognito mode
He added that Google would also be extending the incognito mode, which prevents users’ browsing history from being stored, to products like Search and Maps.
“We think that all of our users across all of our free and paid services around the world enjoy the same measure of privacy, best-in-class privacy that Google is committed to delivering consistently,” he said.
