‘Time to uninstall Google Chrome’ experts warn

Time to ditch Chrome? Cyber experts say Google’s golden browser is actually a privacy nightmare.Credit: Ink Drop/Shutterstock.com

Time to ditch Chrome? Cyber experts say Google’s golden browser is actually a privacy nightmare.

For almost two decades, Google Chrome has ruled the web. Fast, slick, and stacked with features, it’s become the go-to browser for everyone from school kids to CEOs. But now, cybersecurity experts across the globe are sounding the alarm — and it’s not just a small warning. According to them, it’s time to uninstall Chrome… for good.

From golden child to data hoover?

Let’s face it — Chrome made a name for itself with good reason. Its lightning speed, clean interface, and seamless sync across all your devices made it the first download on any new laptop. Add in thousands of handy extensions and smooth integration with Google services, and you’ve got a web surfer’s dream.

But beneath the shiny surface lies a privacy black hole.

Cybersecurity pros aren’t mincing their words. Google Chrome is one of the most powerful information tracking tools in internet history.

Chrome is no longer just a browser — it’s a data vacuum disguised as a helpful tool.

In May 2025, Google agreed to pay $1.375 billion to the state of Texas to settle two lawsuits alleging violations of data privacy and security laws. The lawsuits, filed in 2022 by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, accused Google of unlawfully tracking users’ geolocation, incognito searches, and collecting biometric data without proper consent. This settlement marks the largest state-level privacy settlement against Google, surpassing previous multistate settlements. While Google did not admit to any wrongdoing, the company stated that the claims pertain to outdated policies that have since been updated.

Every move you make, Chrome is watching you

So, what’s the big deal? Well, Chrome doesn’t just remember your passwords and bookmarks. It syncs your entire browsing history, search queries, YouTube habits, shopping data, location history and more — all linked neatly to your Google account.

Even when you switch to Incognito Mode, you’re not invisible. Google itself has confirmed that it still collects certain data in private browsing mode — a fact tucked away in recent privacy updates.

And while there are privacy settings buried deep in Chrome’s menus, the default setup is clear: data collection comes first, user control second.

It’s a textbook example of the dangers of artificial intelligence — powerful algorithms quietly harvesting your habits to fuel ever-smarter ad targeting, while you’re lulled into a false sense of privacy.

Caught in the Chromium trap

‘Fine,’ you might think. ‘I’ll just swap to another browser.’

Hold on. Here’s the thing: most Chrome alternatives aren’t much better.

Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi — they might look different, but under the bonnet, they’re all built on Chromium, Google’s open-source browser engine. That means Google still pulls the strings, whether you realise it or not.

From tweaking ad-blocking features to rewriting extension APIs, Google can change how the entire ecosystem behaves. So even when you think you’ve escaped, you’re still stuck in Google’s web.

Firefox fights back — and Ladybird is coming

Thankfully, there are still some rebels out there.

Firefox stands tall as a true alternative — one with its own engine (Gecko) and a rock-solid reputation for prioritising privacy. Experts regularly name it the best bet for anyone wanting out of the Google matrix.

Safari, Apple’s default browser, is another strong contender — especially thanks to its built-in anti-tracking tech.

And for the privacy purists, there’s Ladybird, an early-stage project with big dreams of becoming the web’s privacy knight. It’s not quite ready for prime time, but it shows that not everyone is willing to bow to the big G.