Google Chrome to give you control over what data can be accessed by extensions

10-12-2020

Tech giant Google will bring some security changes to Chrome extensions next year to make it more secure and transparent. You will have control over which website extension can access what you are browsing on the web. Currently, Google Chrome gives access to extensions to all the websites that you visit. But, starting next year, once you grant permission to an extension to access a website's data, your preference will be saved for that domain. You can also decide to grant an extension access to all the websites you visit, but that is no longer the default. While announcing the new security features, Google in its blog post noted, "In 2021, we�ll change how extensions access data and how permissions work when an extension is installed. You will get to determine which websites the extension can access when you browse the web, instead of letting the extension decide." Besides this, every extension will publicly display its privacy practices to simply explain the data they collect and use starting January 18, 2021. Google has been updating its security practices to help identify more harmful extensions before they enter the Chrome Web Store. Earlier this year, it also updated Chrome�s Safety check-in Settings to help you quickly confirm if harmful extensions are installed and learn how to remove them. And now, the company is planning to launch more protections through Enhanced Safe Browsing. Starting next year, if malicious extensions are installed, Google Chrome�s Safety check will inform you how to remove them.