- Yandex, Edge and Chrome are the mobile browsers that consume the most data
- Yandex even collects messages within the app, warns latest Surshark report
- Surfshark recommends switching to safer alternatives
Do you regularly use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Yandex to browse the Internet on your phone or tablet? You may want to reconsider that choice. According to Surfshark, these mobile browsers are the most voracious data collectors of all, which could seriously put your privacy at risk.
The creator of one of the best VPNs recently examined how the 15 most popular mobile browsers handle user data, basing his analysis on the Google Play Store privacy policy pages.
In their findings, Chrome and Edge ranked third and second, respectively, among the most data-consuming browsers, aggregating 19 and 20 of the 38 possible types of user data. Yandex topped the list with 25. The data includes user photos, voice and audio recordings, web browser history, and user payment information.
Yandex and Google Chrome also collect location data, while Microsoft Edge and Yandex access users’ content, files and documents.
Particularly concerning is that Yandex users, often based in Russia, India and Brazil, appear to be the most exposed to extensive data collection, with the browser even accessing their in-app messages and personal chats.
Chrome, used by seven in ten internet users worldwide, further damages its already tarnished reputation as one of the least data-friendly browsers. A previous study showed that the iOS version of the app recovers more than three times as much data as its competitors.
What happened to your data?
The developers of these browsers ensure that the data collected is intended to ensure the functionality of the application, including personalization, account management and fraud prevention, Surfshark notes.
However, browsers such as Yandex, Microsoft Edge, and Aloha confirm that they share a substantial amount of data with third parties. This may include payment information, precise location, user ID, crash logs, or interactions with applications.
In the best of cases, this excessive collection is used to create advertising profiles of users and offer highly personalized offers.
“The collected user data allows companies to create digital profiles, predict user behavior and make decisions based on it, for example, showing users different prices, ads or offers,” explains Justas Pukys, Senior Product Manager at Surfshark.
Browsing habits and interests can also reveal very sensitive details, such as health problems, financial situations, political opinions or personal struggles – details that people often prefer to keep private.
Unfortunately, Surfshark data claims that only two in ten people still consider themselves “privacy policy aware.” This could increase the chances of them losing control over what data is used, how and by whom.
In the worst case, sensitive information could end up in the wrong hands during a third-party breach, where browser-derived identifiers appear to have become extremely valuable to attackers.
Last year, the UK market was hit hard by data breaches, with customer-identifying data being the most frequently exposed category according to incident trends recently reported by IBM.
How to protect your browsing privacy
In this climate, choose a mobile browser that respects privacy It is essential and, fortunately, there are many alternatives to choose from in addition to the usual ones.
According to Surshark, Ecosia collects only four types of data, Samsung internet browser collects only two, while Brave, Mi Browser and Tor do not collect any user data, ensuring virtually zero risk to your privacy.
And, if you don’t feel like changing, Surfshark advises you share as little personal data as possiblein addition to periodically checking your browser application permissions and using a password manager that protects your account passwords.
Finally, of course, you may not be surprised to learn that they suggest never forget to use a vpn to add an extra layer of protection to your phone (something we couldn’t agree with more). You’ll be grateful when the next company gets hacked.
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