'Incognito mode' isn't as private as you might hope

In November 2025, some Reddit users were shocked to find Google apparently had access to their private browsing sessions.
Gizmodo

Is Incognito Mode Actually Private?

The incognito or private mode found in most web browsers is back in the news, with Google updating its disclaimer to give users a better idea of exactly how this feature works. Whether you use Chrome ...
KSL

Browsing in incognito mode doesn't protect you as much as you might think

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in ...
NPR

Google to delete search data of millions who used 'incognito' mode

Google will destroy the private browsing history of millions of people who used "incognito" mode in its Chrome browser as a part of a settlement filed to federal court on Monday in a case over the ...
AOL

Incognito and private mode offer fewer protections than you think

Your browser of choice probably offers an more private mode—but how effective is it? (Michal Vavro/Unsplash/) Lorrie Cranor is a professor of Computer Science and ...
NPR

Google settles $5 billion privacy lawsuit over tracking people using 'incognito mode'

SAN FRANCISCO — Google has agreed to settle a $5 billion privacy lawsuit alleging that it spied on people who used the "incognito" mode in its Chrome browser — along with similar "private" modes in ...
TechSpot

Which browser first introduced private/incognito mode?

Here's a bit of browser history that surprises even seasoned devs: Safari was first to ship a "private" mode. Apple introduced Private Browsing in Safari 2.0 alongside Mac OS X Tiger in 2005, years ...