Chrome again exempts Google from user site data settings (lapcatsoftware.com)

Article summary

The author of the article discovered that Google Chrome exempts Google-owned sites from the setting to automatically delete site data when all windows are closed. This issue was previously reported and fixed six years ago, but it seems to have resurfaced. The author tested this on two different Macs with Chrome version 152.0.7977.83 and found that Google site data persists even after closing all windows and quitting Chrome. The author suggests that Google should improve its QA to avoid such issues.

Main themes

• Google Chrome bug
• user privacy
• corporate accountability
• surveillance capitalism
• antitrust regulation
• online advertising
• technological dominance

What commenters say

• Google's behavior is seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine user privacy and autonomy.
• The issue may be due to a bug rather than a deliberate attempt by Google to exempt itself from user settings.
• Corporations like Google are made up of humans who can make mistakes, and Hanlon's Razor should be applied to their behavior.
• The problem lies not with individual engineers, but with the corporate context and goals that drive their decisions.
• Advertising is a necessary part of the internet ecosystem, but Google's actions are seen as excessive and detrimental to users.
• Google's dominance and monopolistic practices are a major concern and should be addressed by governments and regulatory bodies.
• The issue is not just about Google, but about the broader implications of surveillance capitalism and the role of technology companies in shaping our online experiences.
• Some commenters argue that the focus on Google's misbehavior distracts from the larger issue of corporate power and the need for systemic change.