Chrome may be the most popular browser, but its default settings are built around Google's data-collection business model. According to a new Engadget guide, users can push back by adjusting a few key controls. The guide notes that Chrome's privacy protections are weaker than a browser like Firefox, but these steps can still meaningfully reduce the data Google gathers.
Start in the browser's Privacy and security settings: block third-party cookies and turn on Do Not Track, though the guide cautions that Do Not Track is only a request that sites can ignore. Then, through your Google account's Data & privacy page, disable Web & App Activity, Timeline, and Personalize Search. Turning off personalized ads in My Ad Center further limits how Google profiles you.
On the security side, Chrome is more robust. The guide recommends running Safety Check, which scans for reused passwords, needed updates, and other issues, and runs continuously in the background. Users can also switch from Standard to Enhanced Safe Browsing for AI-powered threat detection, or enable Always use secure connections to get warnings about unsafe sites. These settings won't make Chrome fully private, but they give users more control over their digital footprint.