Windows 10: Google Chrome will stop Incognito Mode detection at end of July

Brink · Jul 19, 2019

Chrome’s Incognito Mode is based on the principle that you should have the choice to browse the web privately. At the end of July, Chrome will remedy a loophole that has allowed sites to detect people who are browsing in Incognito Mode. This will affect some publishers who have used the loophole to deter metered paywall circumvention, so we’d like to explain the background and context of the change.

Private browsing principles

People choose to browse the web privately for many reasons. Some wish to protect their privacy on shared or borrowed devices, or to exclude certain activities from their browsing histories. In situations such as political oppression or domestic abuse, people may have important safety reasons for concealing their web activity and their use of private browsing features.

We want you to be able to access the web privately, with the assurance that your choice to do so is private as well. These principles are consistent with emerging web standards for private browsing modes.

Closing the FileSystem API loophole

Today, some sites use an unintended loophole to detect when people are browsing in Incognito Mode. Chrome’s FileSystem API is disabled in Incognito Mode to avoid leaving traces of activity on someone’s device. Sites can check for the availability of the FileSystem API and, if they receive an error message, determine that a private session is occurring and give the user a different experience.

With the release of Chrome 76 scheduled for July 30, the behavior of the FileSystem API will be modified to remedy this method of Incognito Mode detection. Chrome will likewise work to remedy any other current or future means of Incognito Mode detection.

Publisher impact and strategies

The change will affect sites that use the FileSystem API to intercept Incognito Mode sessions and require people to log in or switch to normal browsing mode, on the assumption that these individuals are attempting to circumvent metered paywalls.

Unlike hard paywalls or registration walls, which require people to log in to view any content, meters offer a number of free articles before you must log in. This model is inherently porous, as it relies on a site’s ability to track the number of free articles someone has viewed, typically using cookies. Private browsing modes are one of several tactics people use to manage their cookies and thereby "reset" the meter count.

Sites that wish to deter meter circumvention have options such as reducing the number of free articles someone can view before logging in, requiring free registration to view any content, or hardening their paywalls. Other sites offer more generous meters as a way to develop affinity among potential subscribers, recognizing some people will always look for workarounds. We suggest publishers monitor the effect of the FileSystem API change before taking reactive measures since any impact on user behavior may be different than expected and any change in meter strategy will impact all users, not just those using Incognito Mode.

Our News teams support sites with meter strategies and recognize the goal of reducing meter circumvention, however any approach based on private browsing detection undermines the principles of Incognito Mode. We remain open to exploring solutions that are consistent with user trust and private browsing principles.
Click to expand...

Source: Protecting private browsing in Chrome

Tip How to Enable or Disable Incognito Mode in Google Chrome in Windows

How to Enable or Disable Extensions in Incognito Mode in Google Chrome

:)

Xylee Del · Jul 19, 2019

problem uninstalling google chrome

Hi,

Since you already uninstalled Google Chrome using the Programs and Features, Google notifications may still be running in the background processes. We suggest that you follow these steps on how to end the Google Chrome process:

On your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Select Task Manager.

Under Processes, locate Google Notifications or Google Chrome.

Right click on them and select End Task.

Double check under Programs and Features if Google Chrome is completely gone.

Let us know if these steps worked.

Vanessa Sohtun · Jul 19, 2019

Windows 10 Chrome in All Apps and on Taskbar not showing incognito task

Hi Ron,

Before we proceed, I would like you to provide the inf0ormation stated below:

Does the issue prolong only to Google Chrome or other web browsers?

Is there are settings that are similar (other than the one mentioned) amongst the two PC's that are facing the above issue?

For now, if the issue is only with Google Chrome, I suggest that you uninstall google chrome completely from Control Panel and the folders associated with it. Once done, reboot and redownload and install Chrome and check if you are able to open Incognito
with a right click.

If the issue persist, I suggest that you contact Google Chrome support for further rectification.

Hope this helps

Regards

Gowrish_S · Jul 19, 2019

Missing Google Chrome system notification icon.

Hello,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Please answer these questions for us:

Was there any changes made on the computer prior to the issue?

Are you able to see other notification icons?

Have you tested the issue on a different user account?

Please try this step and let us know:

As you have already tried enabling the settings in Google Chrome and Windows 10, I would suggest you to create a new user account by following the

link and test the issue.

Note- The notification icon will be missing if you access the Google Chrome in Incognito mode. Please access the browser in normal mode.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Gowrish S

Microsoft Community –Moderator

Windows 10: Google Chrome will stop Incognito Mode detection at end of July

Google Chrome will stop Incognito Mode detection at end of July

Google Chrome will stop Incognito Mode detection at end of July

Google Chrome will stop Incognito Mode detection at end of July

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