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TechRadar
TechRadar
Rene Millman

Google Chrome’s Incognito mode doesn't hide your browsing data from your ISP — here's what actually does

Google Internet
A Google Incognito Mode tab open on a mobile phone, set against a multi-color background made up of a repeating Google logo.
  • Incognito mode only deletes local browsing history; your ISP still sees every site you visit
  • ISPs track your data to sell to advertisers, throttle your bandwidth, and comply with government requests
  • Encryption tools like VPNs and DNS over HTTPS can help protect your browsing habits

Many people assume that opening a private browser window is the ultimate shield for their digital privacy. Unfortunately, the Incognito Mode myth is exactly that, a myth. While it does a great job of wiping search history and cookies from your device, your online traffic remains transparent to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

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