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Google Chrome Privacy Guide

Here are SparkForge we believe ensuring your online privacy is paramount. Google Chrome, one of the most popular web browsers and offers a plethora of settings to help users protect their data. This guide will delve into the key privacy settings in Chrome, why they’re essential, and how to enable them across various platforms.

1. Privacy & Security Features

Protection: Google Chrome offers a suite of privacy settings that allow users to control how their data is collected, stored, and shared while browsing.

Why: Regularly reviewing and adjusting your privacy settings ensures that you’re not sharing more data than necessary, providing a more secure and private browsing experience.

How to Enable:

For Computers/Android/IOS:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click three dots (More) in the top right corner > Settings.
  3. Navigate to “Privacy and security.” Here, you can choose your desired settings.
  4. To delete specific browsing data like history, cookies, or saved passwords, click on “Clear browsing data.”
  5. For Third Party Cookies set to “Block Third Party”
  6. See Privacy Sandbox below for Ad Privacy
  7. Send a “Do Not Track” Request to on
  8. Preload pages set to Standard Pre-loading
  9. Safe Browsing to Standard. All sites you visit are shared with google. Great for security bad for privacy.
  10. Always use secure connections on
  11. Use Secure DNS to on and Choose Provider : NextDNS recommended.
  12. Disable access to payment methods

** IOS – Under “Other Devices,” you can toggle “Handoff” on or off. This feature allows seamless browsing between your iOS device and Mac computer.

2. Privacy Sandbox

Chrome continually evolves to ensure user safety and privacy during browsing sessions. With the introduction of new features, Chrome now offers more control over how advertisers select ads to display, ensuring a more personalized and secure ad experience. These features are gradually being introduced on computers and Android devices.

Protection: Provides control over ad personalization and data sharing with advertisers.

Why: Advertisers use tracking methods to display personalized ads based on your browsing habits. Managing ad privacy ensures you have control over the data shared and the ads you see.

How to Enable:

Ad Privacy Settings:

  • Apple/Computer/Android:
    • Open Chrome.
    • Tap More (three dots) in the top right, then select Settings.
    • Navigate to Privacy and security -> Ad privacy.
    • Choose the ad feature -> Toggle off.

Manage Site-Suggested Ads:

Sites can recommend and store ad suggestions based on your interests. Chrome deletes suggestions older than 30 days, but they might reappear if you revisit the site.

  • Apple/Computer/Android:
    • Open Chrome.
    • Tap More (three dots) -> Settings.
    • Navigate to Privacy and security -> Ad privacy -> Site-suggested ads.
    • Choose the Site-Suggested Ads -> Toggle to Off

Ad Measurement:

Sites share limited data to measure ad performance, such as when an ad was displayed.

  • Apple/Computer/Android:
    • Open Chrome.
    • Tap More (three dots) > Settings.
    • Navigate to Privacy and security > Ad privacy > Ad Measurement
    • Toggle to Off

3. Ad Blockers

Protection: Blocks potentially harmful ads and prevents online tracking.

Why: Online ads can lead to malicious sites or expose you to security risks.

How to Enable:

  • Apple/Computer:
    • Visit the Chrome Web Store.
    • Search for ad blocker extensions like “AdBlock” or “uBlock Origin.”
    • Click “Add to Chrome” and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Android:
    • Access the Chrome browser settings.
    • Navigate to “Site Settings” and then “Ads.”
    • Turn the setting off to block ads from sites that tend to show intrusive ads.

4. Disable Password Saving

Protection: While convenient, allowing Chrome to save your passwords can pose a security risk, especially if your device is lost or compromised.

Why: Disabling the autofill feature for passwords ensures that your login credentials aren’t automatically saved, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

How to Enable:

For Computers:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click on the three dots (More) in the top right corner > Settings.
  3. Scroll down and click on “Autofill.”
  4. Toggle off the “Passwords” switch.

For Android and iOS Devices:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap on the three dots (More) > Settings.
  3. Navigate to “Passwords.”
  4. Toggle off the switch next to “Save Passwords.”

5. Disable Addresses and More

Protection: While convenient, allowing Chrome to save your addresses can pose a security risk, especially if your device is lost or compromised.

Why: Disabling the autofill feature for addresses ensures that your home addresses aren’t automatically filled reducing the risk

How to Enable:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap on the three dots (More) > Settings.
  3. Navigate to “Addresses.”
  4. Toggle off the switch next to “Save and Fill”

6. Cookies and Site Data Management

Protection: Cookies store information about your browsing habits and preferences. While they can enhance your browsing experience, they can also be used for tracking.

Why: Managing cookies ensures that you’re not being tracked across websites, leading to targeted ads and potential privacy breaches.

How to Enable:

For Computers:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Click on the three dots (More) in the top right corner > Settings.
  3. Under “Privacy and security,” click on “Cookies and other site data.”
  4. Choose from the following options:
    • Allow all cookies.
    • Block all cookies (not recommended for general browsing but enhances privacy).
    • Block third-party cookies in Incognito.
    • Block third-party cookies. (Recommended to increase privacy but maintain user experience)

For Android and iOS Devices:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap on the three dots (More) > Settings.
  3. Navigate to “Privacy” > “Cookies.”
  4. Choose your desired setting, with blocking third-party cookies being the most privacy-centric option.

7. Disable Site Permissions

Protection: Google Chrome offers a suite of privacy settings that allow users to control what sites are allowed to have access to.

Why: Regularly reviewing and adjusting your privacy settings ensures that you’re not sharing more data than necessary, providing a more secure and private browsing experience.

How to Enable:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap on the three dots (More) -> Settings.
  3. Navigate to Site Settings
  4. For each permission listed block access.
    1. Ask first is the default. IF you have allowed a site access you can find it here when you want to revoke it.
    2. When you set to block you can add an exception for a site to allow only that site to have the permissions.

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to enhance your privacy and security while using Google Chrome. Regularly review and update your settings to ensure optimal protection