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Chrome extensions spying on users' browsing data

Your browser extensions might be selling your private browsing history right now.

Deep Dive

A security investigation reveals numerous popular Chrome extensions are secretly harvesting and selling users' private browsing data to third parties. These extensions, installed by millions, operate without clear disclosure, collecting URLs, search queries, and personal information. The data is reportedly packaged and sold for advertising and analytics, bypassing Chrome's security policies. Researchers identified several high-install count extensions involved, raising immediate concerns about privacy violations and the effectiveness of web store vetting processes.

Why It Matters

This exposes a massive, hidden surveillance economy built into the tools billions trust daily for basic web functions.