- Google Chrome is the most hungry mobile browser of data, with 20 types of data collected
- Most other mobile browsers collect an average of 6 types of data
- Chrome and Safari eat a 90% mobile browser market share
The most popular web browsers in the world are also the most hungry for data, according to new surfshark research.
Analyzing Appmagic download statistics, Surfshark discovered that Google and Apple Safari Chrome represent 90% of the world’s mobile browser downloads.
However, Chrome absorbs 20 different types of data while using, including contact information, location, navigation history and user content, and is the only browser to collect payment methods, card numbers or bank account details.
Chrome data collection
Surfshark points out the reason why Chrome can store certain financial information is because users can choose to store their bank information for easier transactions.
Bing of Microsoft took second place for data collection, increasing 12 types of data, closely followed by the PI browser in third place with nine types of data, with Safari and Firefox collecting eight types and sharing fourth place.
At the other end of the scale, both Brave and Tor are the lower data hungry browsers, with brave that require identifiers and use data, and do not collect data at all.
When it comes to the data types collected, the PI, Edge and Bing browser collected the most tracking data, generally sold to third parties that will be used for directed advertising.
PI Browser collects navigation history, search history, device ID, product interaction and advertising data, while Edge collects customer service application data, and bing collects user ID data.
In the US, Safari takes a 50% participation in the use of the mobile browser, with Chrome filling another 43%, and the United Kingdom follows a similar trend, with 47% Chrome and 43% safari.
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid data collection, and if you are looking to keep your data safe while sailing, it can be worth taking a look at our best VPN guide.
