Google has reacted to Chrome sign in and sync privacy concerns and said in a blog post they’ll offer a setting in upcoming Chrome 70 that will allow users to disable browser sign in and they’ll update Sync UI to avoid data syncing confusion to Google account and ensure Google authentication cookies gets deleted when you sign out.
What happened and the user concerns
Google has shipped Chrome 69 with a change that signs the user into the browser when they sign into Google website, the company hasn’t informed about this to users when they shipped the new version.
When a user logs into Google service such as Gmail, he will be logged into Chrome and the user account picture appears in Chrome UI. The sign-in UI has been developed with shared device owners in mind. The Sync UI doesn’t provide clarity whether the Sync was turned on or not for their Google Account.
The latest worrisome concern to users is Google auth cookies don’t get removed when they clear browsing data.
Changes coming to Chome 70 to control sign-in experience and address other privacy concerns
Chrome Product Manager, Zac Coach addressed the above in a blog post and re-assures with new sign in UI in place, when user logs into Google website sync doesn’t get turn on, user need to take additional step there for that ” We want to be clear that this change to sign-in does not mean sync gets turned on. Users who want data like their browsing history, passwords and bookmarks available on other devices must take additional action such as turning on Sync”.
Zac Coach further says they’ve received feedback from people using the shared device that they are getting confused with Chrome sign in state and the new UI reminds them in which Google account they signed in.
She says Chrome 70 releasing in mid-October will include a setting that let users turn off browser sign in. You’ll find the setting here Settings > Privacy and Security > Allow Chrome sign-in.
Chrome user, are you satisfied with the changes announced?
GOOGLE THIS SUCKS. I have a bunch of convenient Bookmarks that my whole family uses. So I want Chrome logged in. BUT I cannot leave my PC logged into Google all day, which would give people access to my Google Drive, and everything else.
WHAT MORON AT GOOGLE THINKS THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT?
Stop messing with products that work, it just causes IMMENSE frustration.