Stop Pakai Mode Incognito — Ini yang Sebenernya Terjadi di Balik Layar

Summary

This video debunks the myth that incognito mode makes you invisible online. While it hides your browsing history on your device, websites, Google, and even your network can still track your activity. It explains browser fingerprinting, which collects detailed data points to identify users uniquely, and exposes cases like LinkedIn scanning browser extensions without consent. The video highlights privacy risks in Indonesia, where Chrome dominates and data breaches are rampant. Practical solutions are offered, including switching browsers, using privacy-focused VPNs and search engines, and minimizing browser extensions. Incognito mode helps locally, but true online privacy requires proactive measures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Incognito Mode does not make you invisible online, as websites and services can still track your activity using methods like IP address and digital fingerprinting.
• 😀 Google has been involved in a class action lawsuit for collecting user data even when using Incognito Mode, revealing that it tracks data regardless of the browsing mode.
• 😀 Incognito Mode only prevents local data storage, like browsing history and cookies, on your device but does not hide your activities from websites, your ISP, or network administrators.
• 😀 Digital fingerprinting collects unique data about your browser, such as screen resolution, OS, fonts, and hardware, which can be used to identify you online even in Incognito Mode.
• 😀 Data collected through digital fingerprinting can be used to create personal profiles and deliver targeted ads, meaning Incognito Mode doesn't fully protect your privacy from trackers.
• 😀 LinkedIn was exposed for secretly scanning the extensions in users' browsers, sending this data to a third-party cybersecurity firm, potentially profiling users based on political views and beliefs.
• 😀 Many popular browsers, especially Google Chrome, gather extensive user data and are known for having the most trackers, making privacy protection difficult for users who rely on them.
• 😀 Indonesia ranks 8th globally in data breaches, with millions of personal records exposed, showing that personal data is often vulnerable even when using privacy tools like Incognito Mode.
• 😀 Incognito Mode is not a comprehensive privacy solution; it's useful for tasks like checking prices without cookies, logging into multiple accounts, or browsing on a shared device without leaving traces.
• 😀 To better protect privacy online, switch to more secure browsers like Brave or Firefox, use VPNs that prioritize privacy, and avoid trusting the privacy claims of popular browsers or services.
• 😀 Privacy on the internet is something users must actively protect through awareness and actions, such as using VPNs, changing browsers, and not relying on features like Incognito Mode to safeguard data.

Q & A

What is incognito mode commonly thought to do?

Incognito mode is commonly thought to make users 'invisible' on the internet, protecting their privacy by preventing websites from storing browsing history and cookies.

Why does the speaker argue that incognito mode doesn't actually protect your privacy?

The speaker argues that incognito mode doesn't make users truly invisible because websites, Google, and even local networks (like Wi-Fi at work or school) can still track your activity, and data can still be collected through other methods like browser fingerprinting.

What is browser fingerprinting?

Browser fingerprinting is a technology that collects multiple data points about your device, such as your screen resolution, operating system, language, and hardware. These combined data points form a unique identifier, which can be used to track users even in incognito mode.

Can Google track users in incognito mode?

Yes, Google can still track users in incognito mode using browser fingerprinting. Even if users switch to incognito mode, Google can correlate their activity using a unique fingerprint tied to their device.

What is the 'Browser Get' scandal involving LinkedIn?

In early 2025, LinkedIn was exposed for secretly scanning users' browser extensions without consent. This data was sent to a cybersecurity firm, Human Security, which was a serious privacy violation as it included tracking politically sensitive and personal information.

How does LinkedIn scan users' browsers without their consent?

When users visit LinkedIn, a hidden script scans the browser for specific extensions (over 6,000) and sends this data to a third-party cybersecurity firm. This happens without any user consent or notification.

Why is the speaker concerned about Google's role in privacy violations?

The speaker is concerned because Google collects a significant amount of user data through Chrome, even when using incognito mode. This extensive tracking compromises user privacy and is a growing issue, especially with many people using Chrome as their primary browser.

What are some major data breaches mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript mentions several significant data breaches, including the leak of 279 million BPJS data, 337 million population registry data, and 6 million NPWP data. These breaches highlight the ongoing issues with data privacy in Indonesia.

What are some steps users can take to protect their privacy online?

The speaker suggests several steps, including switching to privacy-focused browsers like Brave or Firefox, using a VPN that prioritizes privacy, choosing search engines that don’t track user activity (like DuckDuckGo), removing unnecessary browser extensions, and not relying on incognito mode to protect privacy.

Is incognito mode completely useless for privacy protection?

No, incognito mode is not entirely useless. It can be helpful for preventing local devices from storing browsing history and cookies, or when using multiple accounts. However, it does not prevent external tracking by websites, Google, or local networks, making it ineffective for full privacy protection.