What happens when you launch Google Chrome for the first time? (twitter.com)

Article summary

When launching Google Chrome for the first time on a Windows 10 machine, 32 requests are made and 7.26 MB of data is downloaded. The browser makes calls to various Google domains, including googleapis, accounts.google.com, and clients2.google.com, to fetch flags, features, and extensions. The first call passes the OS type, browser channel, and version, while subsequent calls download extensions related to Google Drive, Docs, and other services. The browser also makes requests to verify the integrity of the downloaded extensions.

Main themes

• Google Chrome first-run behavior
• Browser extensions and updates
• Network requests and data download
• Browser security and privacy
• Comparison with other browsers

What commenters say

• Some users are concerned about the amount of data downloaded by Google Chrome during its first run and the potential privacy implications.
• Others argue that the data download is necessary for the browser to function properly and provide its features.
• There is a discussion about the difficulty of running Safari on non-Apple hardware and the limitations of virtual machines.
• The use of cryptocurrencies, such as Brave's Basic Attention Token, is seen as either innovative or shady, depending on the perspective.
• Some commenters suggest that Brave's model of blocking ads and rewarding users with tokens is not effective or transparent.
• Others propose alternative models, such as a Patreon-like system, where users can support their favorite websites directly.
• The integration of blockchain-based features in browsers, such as wallets, is seen as a potential step forward in browsing technology.