- By Alex David
- Mon, 29 Sep 2025 05:39 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Google has begun rolling out its biggest Chrome upgrade yet with Gemini integration, but the move has sparked fresh warnings about user privacy. According to cybersecurity firm Surfshark, the browser now collects 24 different types of sensitive data when paired with Gemini, raising concerns for over 2 billion users worldwide.
What Data Is Being Collected?
Surfshark’s investigation found that Chrome on smartphones, when combined with Gemini, may collect:
- Name and location
- Device ID
- Browsing and search history
- Product interactions
- Purchase history
This is more than any other browser with integrated AI assistants. For comparison, Microsoft Edge with Copilot collects around half as much data. Alternatives like Brave, Opera, and Perplexity collect even less.
Credits: Surfshark [Forbes]
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Why the Concern?
While Google insists that Gemini only activates when users ask for it, the reality is that once triggered, sensitive information gets logged. Extensions like ChatGPT installed on browsers can also expose additional personal data, even when downloaded from official stores.
Google says:
“Gemini in Chrome works with you, on your terms. It assists only when you ask, putting you in control.”
However, experts warn that even location tracking, biometric patterns, and device fingerprints may be harvested.
Nano Banana Raises Further Privacy Questions
Adding to the concern, another Gemini feature—Nano Banana, an AI-powered image editing tool—has also been flagged for heavy data collection. Reports suggest that it may soon be integrated into Google Photos under a new “Create” feature.
Cybersecurity researchers highlight that every photo carries a biometric fingerprint: facial geometry, skin texture, micro-expressions, and even behavioral patterns. These can be used to build detailed profiles of users beyond what traditional data collection allows.
Apple’s Warning to iPhone Users
Interestingly, Apple has now made anti-fingerprinting protections default in Safari on iOS 26, offering better privacy safeguards. But if iPhone users continue browsing on Chrome, they remain vulnerable. Apple has reportedly urged users to switch from Chrome to Safari for stronger privacy protection.
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What Can Users Do?
Google provides limited privacy controls for Gemini in Chrome:
- Visit Gemini Apps Activity to stop data being saved for more than 72 hours.
- In Chrome settings, navigate to AI innovations > Gemini in Chrome to manage permissions.
- Adjust location and camera access under phone settings.
- Still, experts warn there’s no way to fully opt out once Gemini is in use.
The Bigger Picture
Privacy analysts caution that AI features marketed as “free” come at a hidden cost—your data. As Point Wild puts it:
“These tools come free because you’re not the customer, you’re the product. Your biometric data, behavior, and creative choices generate exponentially more value than the cost to produce them.”
With Google expanding Gemini across Chrome, Photos, and other apps, experts stress the need for clearer policies and user controls. Until then, users are urged to be cautious about how much information they share with AI assistants.