I try not to use Chrome but, from time to time, various applications or projects necessitate its use.

I still like the speed of the browser and I really like its debugging tools but the data collection that Chrome performs is one that I dislike and I see no reason for the organization to change its practices. For more information see this, this, this, and this, and this.

And sure, some of the above advice is anecdotal but these are just some of the more common things that people are going to come across if they start looking into what the browser is doing. There are plenty of deeper analyses of what the browser does from a deeper technological standpoint.

Oh, and if you’re looking at Ghostery, read this fun thread, too.

But the purpose of this post isn’t to digress into all of the things that Chrome is doing (the when, how, and why), but instead its about sharing extensions that I’ve found to be useful when using Chrome.

Google Chrome Privacy

There are give, maybe six (I’m still evaluating one of them) extensions, that I recommend installing to improve Google Chrome Privacy for both the average and the more advanced user.

  • DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials. Privacy, simplified. Protect your data as you search and browse. Permissions are to block hidden trackers lurking everywhere.
  • AdBlock for YouTube. Adblock for Youtube™ is a content filtering and ad blocking browser extension which blocks all ads on Youtube™
  • Ultra Adblock. Ultra Adblock is a free cross-platform browser extension for filtering content, including ad blocking.
  • Privacy Badger. Privacy Badger automatically learns to block invisible trackers.
  • WebRTC Leak Prevent. Prevent WebRTC leaks in Chrome by controlling hidden WebRTC privacy settings.
  • AdBlock. Block ads and pop-ups on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and your favorite websites.

I don’t know if these sync with your mobile device. My intuition says no but if they do, all the better. Of course, if you have the opportunity to use 1Blocker, I always recommend that.

For those who are curious, the only other extensions I use are:

But those are more for productivity than anything else. Other than that, Chrome is as lightweight and privacy focused as I can make it.

Obviously, I have preference the browsers I use but if you have to use Chrome (or simply choose to do so), then I highly recommend the aforementioned extensions.