Google's Incognito Mode Exposed: Billions of User Records Deleted After Lawsuit
Google's Incognito Mode Exposed: Billions of User Records Deleted After Lawsuit
🕵️ Google's Incognito Lie
Google's "private" browsing wasn't private at all. A lawsuit revealed the tech giant tracked users even in Incognito mode, collecting billions of records from 2016-2020.
Key developments:
- Google agreed to delete or de-identify collected Incognito data
- Settlement exposes gap between privacy promises and reality
- Users discovered their "private" browsing was being monitored
The bigger picture: This case highlights fundamental issues with current privacy models. As one expert noted, "Privacy you can revoke isn't privacy at all."
Web3 solutions are emerging that embed privacy directly into protocols rather than relying on corporate promises. These systems aim to make privacy a default feature rather than a revocable setting.
What this means: The settlement serves as a wake-up call that users need verifiable privacy protections, not just assurances that can be quietly ignored.
Google’s “Incognito Mode” wasn’t so incognito. Billions of user records were deleted after a lawsuit exposed hidden tracking even in “private” mode. Privacy you can revoke isn’t privacy at all. #Privacy #Web3 #DataSovereignty
Decentr Launches Secure PDF Reader & Signer for Complete Offline Privacy
**Decentr Privacy Suite Expands with New PDF Tool** Decentr has launched **Secure PDF Reader & Signer**, a privacy-focused mobile app that handles PDF documents entirely offline. The app joins Decentr's growing privacy ecosystem alongside their File Manager and Password Manager. **Key Features:** - **100% offline processing** - no cloud storage or internet required - **Professional digital signatures** with timestamps and legal compliance - **Zero data collection** - even Decentr cannot access user files - **Ad-free and subscription-free** experience **Complete Privacy Control** All document processing stays on the user's device, ensuring total privacy for sensitive files. The app supports viewing, signing, and saving PDFs without any external connections. Available now on [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.decentr.securepdfreader&hl=en_SG) as part of Decentr's mission to give users complete control over their digital data. Read more details in their [Medium announcement](https://decentrnet.medium.com/introducing-secure-pdf-reader-signer-8f13985bb625).
AWS Outage Exposes Internet's Fragility While Decentralized Networks Stay Strong
A DNS resolution issue in AWS DynamoDB brought down major platforms including **Snapchat, Reddit, Fortnite, and Medium**, affecting millions of users worldwide. The outage highlighted the internet's dangerous dependence on centralized infrastructure. When one major cloud provider fails, entire sections of the web go dark. **Key impacts:** - Banking and gaming services disrupted - Social media platforms inaccessible - Publishing platforms offline Meanwhile, **decentralized alternatives like Aleph.im remained operational**, proving that distributed infrastructure works when centralized systems fail. The incident demonstrates why **diversity and decentralization** matter for internet resilience. Single points of failure create widespread vulnerabilities that affect millions. [Read the full analysis](https://decentrnet.medium.com/when-amazon-web-services-sneezes-half-the-internet-catches-a-cold-0324e8bc6c77)
File Manager Secure: A Privacy-First Android File Manager Launches
Decentr has launched File Manager Secure, a privacy-focused Android file manager that prioritizes on-device data storage with decentralized backup options. Key Features: - Local-first design with no automatic cloud uploads - Military-grade encryption - Integration with multiple decentralized networks: • Aleph Cloud for real-time processing • Jackal Protocol for zero-knowledge sharing • Filecoin for redundant storage • Arweave for permanent preservation The app targets security-conscious users like activists and journalists. Available on [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.decentr.filemanager) or via [direct APK download](https://decentr.net/filemanager1.0.apk).
Decentr Browser Update Adds Massa Chain Support
The latest Windows release of Decentr Browser (v1.9.5) introduces support for @massachain domains alongside crucial security enhancements. Key updates: - Full integration with Massa Chain domains - Latest security patches implemented - Windows version now available for download Development team is actively working on: - Mac version - Linux version - Mobile applications - PDV and VPN component updates Download the latest Windows build: [Decentr Browser v1.9.5](https://decentr.net/Win_x64_Decentr_1.9.5.zip)