Why Does Chrome Browser Share History Between Profiles/Google Accounts On/If Using Same Computer Between Accounts?
Why Does Chrome Browser Share History Between Profiles/Google Accounts On/If Using Same Computer Between Accounts?
I have just discovered something that I had never considered possible... (this has nothing to do with device synchronization) ... it seems that when sharing a computer, multiple users can be logged in simultaneously using Chrome while maintaining separate accounts. For instance, if three people are accessing the same machine, each with their own credentials—account 1, account 2, and account 3—they can all view each other's browsing history without needing to log into one another. Even when all accounts are closed, anyone can still open Chrome and see the activity of any user. I find this quite surprising and question the purpose of separate profiles and accounts, as it appears designed to ensure privacy and security.
You might want to try this yourself to verify my observations. Imagine logging into Chrome on Google, then switching to another account and viewing the history. It would be strange to think someone could access another user's activity without being logged in. This behavior seems unusual from a security standpoint.
Thoughts?
I recommend testing it—try logging into Chrome via Google, using a different account, and then logging out. Then simply log in as a guest, open Chrome, and see the full browsing history of all users. It makes no sense to me... this is quite unbelievable. I truly doubt many people would expect such openness and lack of security. It feels almost inevitable that data could be accessed in this way, yet we’re still dealing with privacy concerns.
What do you think? Does any browser support cross-user browsing history sharing like this? Yes, I plan to test it but don’t have time right now to get immediate answers. Thanks.
google earns revenue by gathering and then selling data for advertisements. merging accounts provides them with even richer information than a single account, increasing the value of the data. there is no uncertainty this is intentional and there’s nothing you can do about it. just avoid using chrome. they recently said they’re removing ad-blockers "for your protection" — any more reasons to steer clear?
Maybe it's just one value that you mention across different profiles... but even when they're split into separate accounts and protected, they still receive all the information you point out in the combine section. I really can't understand this security issue from what I see. However, thank you for your input—this makes sense now. It seems many people wouldn't think such a thing could happen with the same system in place. :|
this method allows several "accounts" within one Chrome browser setup. for example, you could have a professional and a personal profile so bookmarks and other items stay distinct. it’s not about separate windows accounts. Google will still merge all the data into a unified ad profile but keeps things organized for you.
I understand your perspective, bundling it up for the vendor while ensuring end users feel data remains separate. Chrome profile is secured and distinct, which seems to be the current situation. Most of us may not fully grasp this, so we tend to stay comfortable in the existing setup. The vendor benefits from this arrangement, but the lack of transparency in security is somewhat concerning.