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Privacy outrage after Google users discover Chrome's built-in anti-virus tool is scanning private
Daily Mail Co. UK ^
| 12:55 EDT, 4 April 2018
| Tim Collins
Posted on 04/14/2018 6:32:26 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
- The discovery was made by New York cybersecurity expert Kelly Shortridge
- She noticed the browser tool was scanning files in a folder on her Windows PC
- Ms Shortridge shared her worries that it was gathering data on social media
- Google's head of security for Chrome responded that this is not the case
Google users are sharing their shock at discovering Chrome's built-in anti-virus tool is scanning private files on their computers.
Chrome Cleanup Tool, a browser component added in 2014 to scan and remove malicious or resource heavy software, is behind the outcry.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: browser; chrome; files; google; privacy; scanning; surveillance
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To: Texas Fossil
Hello, my Google overlords!! (Sent from my Chromebook....)
21
posted on
04/14/2018 7:26:11 AM PDT
by
Donkey Odious
( Adapt, improvise, and overcome - now a motto for us all.)
To: raybbr
Anti-virus programs tend not to read your document files. They used to just scan downloads. Then they modified the tool to pry into your private files.
And, I’m happy enough with my current antivirus. I don’t need a third party nosing around my computer (although AOL asks to on a regular basis).
22
posted on
04/14/2018 7:27:54 AM PDT
by
PAR35
To: Texas Fossil
Why do not have Chrome on anything.
23
posted on
04/14/2018 7:31:37 AM PDT
by
madison10
(Pray for President Trump.)
To: madison10
I don’t and I minimize Google. Unfortunately they own Verizon the only local cell phone carries.
I tell them the minimum and don’t use any of their “services”.
They nag me to death with their apps and updates.
I have been running some version of Linux since 1994. Almost never boot a windows computer on my home network. My wife’s machine is Windows based.
24
posted on
04/14/2018 7:40:34 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: Da Coyote
Yes, their intent is clear if you look honestly at it.
25
posted on
04/14/2018 7:42:05 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: grania
26
posted on
04/14/2018 7:42:29 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: PAR35
Yes, that is exactly the point of the article.
Not really surprised, but am surprised it took this long to become public info.
27
posted on
04/14/2018 7:43:44 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: American in Israel
Yes, but does your browser copy and phone home all your URL history and send them all the file names and usage on your computer?
28
posted on
04/14/2018 7:45:57 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: goldstategop
Google Chrome is not an AV scanner.
What people are upset about is that that info about what is on their hard drives is almost certainly being passed onto Google... AND anyone they sell that info to.
29
posted on
04/14/2018 7:46:18 AM PDT
by
thoughtomator
(Number of arrested coup conspirators to date: 0)
To: ichabod1
I ran Scroogle until they quit offering it.
30
posted on
04/14/2018 7:47:00 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: Disambiguator
Don’t know about the symbolism. Their actions show who they support.
31
posted on
04/14/2018 7:48:03 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: XEHRpa
“God bless President Trump”
Yes, indeed.
32
posted on
04/14/2018 7:49:29 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: raybbr
Why are they surprised its looking for virii? If that was all it was doing then it would be fine. But if you believe that's all it's doing then I have a bridge to sell ya.
33
posted on
04/14/2018 7:49:57 AM PDT
by
unixfox
(Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
To: Beagle8U
It is my default on cell phone and on P/C’s. For many years.
34
posted on
04/14/2018 7:50:17 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: polymuser
I do the same. That decision limits use of some things that require GPS locations, but that is a decision I made and still hold too.
35
posted on
04/14/2018 7:52:31 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: ichabod1
36
posted on
04/14/2018 7:52:43 AM PDT
by
demsux
(Ahhh...what county you think this is...)
To: bk1000
Well, you often have no choice with user agreements. But the extent of the privacy violations are huge. You are correct, almost nobody reads them, if you do they are written in lawyer speak. Nobody but copyright lawyers understands.
37
posted on
04/14/2018 7:54:55 AM PDT
by
Texas Fossil
((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
To: Texas Fossil
Chrome is now uninstalled as a back-up browser from my machines. Opera is still my main browser.
To: unixfox
I didnt read where it was gathering personal information. The complaint was that it was scanning files. I would bet that no one has read the license agreement.
39
posted on
04/14/2018 7:55:43 AM PDT
by
raybbr
(That progressive bumper sticker on your car might just as well say, "Yes, I'm THAT stupid!")
To: 9YearLurker
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