Browsing with Gemini in Chrome: Convenience Comes at a High Cost to Users’ Privacy

The newest Gemini in Chrome mobile AI browser collects the most user information among other AI browsers analyzed by Surfshark. 

It collects data such as users’ names, precise location, and browsing history. A cybersecurity expert draws attention to an even more important fact — we may face a new type of surveillance when AI browsers see, track, and interact with everything we do online.

Even though agentic browsers are so powerful that they can improve our lives by taking over tedious tasks, such as ordering groceries or booking a haircut, there are dangers. 

“Users’ privacy and personal information are becoming a cheap commodity,” said Karolis Kaciulis, leading system engineer at Surfshark. “An agentic browser needs to see and monitor everything we do online. Your name and physical address, emails, text messages, the fact that you are stalking your ex — this is just a small part of what an agentic browser knows about you. No room for privacy left.”

As stated on the Apple App Store, Gemini in Chrome mobile integration collects your name, email and physical addresses, payment info, emails or text messages, even sensitive info, such as racial or ethnic data, sexual orientation, disability, and many other extremely private data.

Most importantly, Gemini and Chrome link this data to a user. This means that they’re not just seeing what you are doing in general on the screen — they are actually creating a specific and detailed profile of you. Why are the companies doing that? The main reason may be to provide that information to generative AI, create personalized content for a user, and boost profits.

“My key question is, do companies see users’ privacy and security as their main focus area? Otherwise, what consequences are we, as users, going to face after one, five, or ten years of feeding agentic browsers with our most private and sensitive information?” Kaciulis said.

With the spurt of agentic browsers, Perplexity has already announced a major security flaw with its Comet AI browser, which potentially let hackers gain access to extremely sensitive user information, such as bank account details.

Steps to protect your privacy and security when using an agentic browser:

• Do not allow an agentic browser to manage sensitive data (social security number, passwords, banking details).
• Use a traditional browser for critical tasks such as email, financial transactions, or administrative services.
• Check your privacy settings and disable data sharing whenever possible.
• Review the AI’s actions before approving them: form filling, automatic clicks… nothing should be validated without your consent.