Microsoft has a long history of using somewhat sneaky tactics to try to get people to use its Edge web browser instead of its competitors. From strange changes to the way Windows handles default apps to frequent prompts to set Edge as the default, these tactics were annoying, but little more than that. . However, a new trick could cause Edge to periodically pull in browsing data from Chrome or other browsers, even if you tell it not to do so.
Microsoft Edge has had an option for a while that lets you import browsing data from other web browsers installed on your PC. Recently, Edge gained the ability to periodically ingest this browsing data.
An example of one of Edge’s data import prompts.
Windows frequently prompts users to turn on this setting. You may have been prompted to enable this setting on your Windows PC after a system update or even after updating Edge. However, there have been some reports claiming that Edge captures browsing data even for people who don’t enable this setting.
Windows users are doing the following reddit and Microsoft support forum Many people have expressed concern about this issue, and many have stated that they have never enabled data import settings. Nevertheless, Edge starts on your device with all recently used Chrome tabs open.it happened again The Verges Senior Editor Tom Warren explained After a recent Windows update, Edge automatically started on your PC and displayed all the tabs you had open from your last Chrome session.
After installing the latest Windows 11 update (KB5034204), it rebooted and automatically opened Microsoft Edge in all Chrome tabs that were open before installing the update 😲 I can’t believe my eyes did. Has anyone else had this?
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) January 24, 2024
While Edge’s data import settings may be helpful for some users, it appears they may pose potential privacy issues. This is especially true if Edge ingests this data when you tell it not to. To be fair, Microsoft claims that the data import happens locally and the data is saved locally, but when someone signs in to Edge and syncs their data, that data is It will be sent to Microsoft.
If you’re using a Windows PC and want to make sure this setting is turned off, check Edge’s[設定]of[プロファイル]>[ブラウザー データのインポート]You can find this setting in (or type edge://settings/profiles/importBrowsingData in the URL bar). . However, as mentioned above, some people see Edge pulling in data even after turning off the setting. It is unclear whether this is a bug or intentional behavior.
In any case, if you’re in that situation, your best bet is to make sure Edge isn’t signed in to your Microsoft account (this can be done in Edge’s settings).[プロファイル]page). That way, at least while Edge continues to collect data locally, no data is sent to Microsoft. I hope Microsoft addresses this issue soon.
sauce: reddit, microsoft forum, (2) via: The Verge
