Google Chrome for Android has been updated with a fingerprint lock for Incognito tabs
For Android users, Chrome is getting a new update that will let them secure their private browsing sessions with a password or fingerprint scan. Chrome on Android users may now take advantage of the feature, which has been accessible on iOS for some time.
Improvements to Android's Incognito Mode for Google Chrome are on the way. When you close your Google Chrome tab in Incognito mode on an Android device, the tab will be locked automatically. Biometric authentication methods, such as the fingerprint scanner on a user's smartphone, will be used to gain access.
This functionality is currently being rolled out to Android users, albeit not everyone will have access to it right away. In 2021, Apple released a biometric lock for Incognito tabs on iOS devices; the feature has since migrated to Android.
Google has stated in a blog post that, beginning with the next update to Google Chrome, users on Android devices will be required to enter a password or undergo biometric identification before returning to an Incognito tab after closing and reopening the app.
This ensures that only the owner of the device may access the Incognito session. According to the firm, the update is now available for Chrome on Android. Notably, this option is disabled by default, so users will need to enable it in Chrome's Settings menu.
Users may activate this new privacy option by going to Chrome's settings, selecting Privacy & Security, and then toggling on Lock incognito windows when closing Chrome. Once that's done, users will be required to use the fingerprint reader on their phones to 'unlock' their Incognito tabs.
Additionally, users must give confirmation, like their device PIN or pattern, in order to enable or disable this feature. On iOS devices, Google's fingerprint lock for Incognito tabs made its debut in 2021.
However, in preparation for January 28th's Data Privacy Day, Google has provided five tips for providing a secure web experience. Chrome's password manager on Android, iOS and desktops can remember and make easy passwords on the user's devices, and the user can remove the browser's history, including history, cookies, and cache, from a certain time or entirely.
According to rumours, Google is also revamping the menu to include a switch to disable all extensions at once. The new switch will deactivate add-ons and prevent harmful ones from loading.
The 'stop extension on this website' feature is also available in Microsoft Edge. The experimental new feature is already available in Chrome Canary. According to the complaint, however, it is currently unusable and simply toggles on and off without displaying the loaded extensions.