Google To Kill Chrome Sync Feature In Third-party Browsers

Google says that it will block third-party Chromium web browsers from using private Google APIs after discovering that they were integrating them although they’re intended to be used only in Chrome.

This is because many of the Google APIs included in the Chromium code are specific only to Google Chrome and are not intended to be integrated and used by the users of derived Chromium products.

“During a recent audit, we discovered that some third-party Chromium-based browsers were able to integrate Google features, such as Chrome sync and Click to Call, that are only intended for Google’s use,” Google Chrome Engineering Director Jochen Eisinger explained.

Also Read: How a Smart Contract Audit Works and Why it is Important

“This meant that a small fraction of users could sign into their Google Account and store their personal Chrome sync data, such as bookmarks, not just with Google Chrome, but also with some third-party Chromium-based browsers.”

Eisinger didn’t share the names of the browsers that integrated Chrome Sync without authorization but revealed that the company will limit 3rd party Chromium browsers from accessing private Chrome APIs starting with March 15, 2021.

By removing access to Chrome sync for other Chromium web browsers, it removes their ability to integrate the Chrome Sync API to sync their users’ data to all devices where they’re logged into their Google account.

When Chrome Sync is toggled on, the synced info includes bookmarks, passwords, history, open tabs, settings, preferences, and, in some cases, even payment info saved in Google Pay.

However, Google says that users who have accessed private Google features such as Chrome Sync while using third-party browsers will still be able to access this synced data locally or in their Google account, depending on their sync settings.

They will also be able to manage their data by going to the My Google Activity page, as well as downloading it from the Google Takeout page, and/or delete it by going here.

Also Read: Data Centre Regulations Singapore: Does It Help To Progress?

“Guidance for vendors of third-party Chromium based products is available on the Chromium wiki,” Eisinger added.