Google Chrome

A recent report said that Google Chrome extensions are alleged to collect data about the user's system such as installed applications, hardware configuration, and performance stats.

Google Chrome extensions not only collect a lot of data about users and their browsing habits but also track online activity and most likely display personalized ads based on the data.

Published by web developer z0cc, the report raises concerns about fingerprinting through Google Chrome extensions, which is one method of data collection and tracking.

Z0cc created a website called Extension Fingerprints that can release a tracking hash by scanning all the installed browser extensions using built-in browser properties like "web-accessible resources" and "resource timing comparison."

The report highlighted that the built-in browser properties are found in 1,170 popular extensions such as Grammarly, Adobe Acrobat, ColorZilla, and Rakuten.

The developer noted that only extensions downloaded from Chrome Web Store are the cause of concern.

However, the report pointed out that for fingerprinting to work, the IDs of these extensions need to be tweaked.