Chrome for iOS has received an update to support the new iOS 7, but a bug in the "Incognito" mode apparently reveals private queries in the search bar.
Every Internet user has some weird searches that would not like to appear in their search history or search bar suggestions. For that, there is the magical "Incognito" mode for Chrome or, for other browsers, a similar option to make your search in a private browsing mode so that there is no evidence of your embarrassing searches.
With Chrome for iOS 7, however, the Incognito search is not so private apparently, as UK development and design firm Parallax has discovered a nasty bug. As it turns out, when iOS 7 users make a search in the search/address bar in Chrome's Incognito mode, that history will show up even when they return to standard browsing in Google's mobile search bar. In other words, that private browsing is private no more.
The extent of the issue is obvious in this case, as countless Internet users rely on that private browsing mode particularly to keep their searches private, away from the prying or judgmental eyes of others.
Google has apparently responded to TechCrunch and explained that the issue with Chrome for iOS leaking Incognito mode data is "an unfortunate but unavoidable loophole that comes with building a browser on iOS."
"On Chrome for iOS, due to platform limitation regular and incognito tabs share HTML5 local storage, which is typically used by sites to store files on your device (client-side caching) or to provide offline functionality," Google notes in the company's support documents for the Chrome Incognito mode.
"This means the same sites can always access their data in this storage in both regular and incognito tabs. Incognito tabs will still keep browsing history and cookies separate from regular tabs, which are cleared once those tabs are closed."
Google is reportedly doing everything in its power to fix this bug, which affects Chrome users on iOS 7. In the meantime, iOS 7 users might want to tone down their weird Incognito searches in Google's mobile browser. Check out the video below to get a better idea of what's going on.
most read
related stories
more stories from OS / Software
Microsoft has reportedly started talks with HTC to add its Windows OS to the phone maker's Android smartphones and HTC is apparently considering to make a Windows Phone/Android dual-booting smartphone.
ernest hamiltonA bug in Chrome for iOS 7 has caused Google's mobile browser to leak private searches made in 'Incognito' mode.
ernest hamiltonHTC has announced that Sprint has already started to roll out the Android 4.3 update to the HTC One, AT&T and T-Mobile will follow in mid-October, while Verizon will release it by the end of the month.
ernest hamiltonThe new Windows 8.1 has gone up for pre-order on the Microsoft Store, ahead of the official launch on Oct. 18.
ernest hamiltonApple has acknowledged the iOS 7 iMessage issue and promised to provide a fix in an upcoming software update.
ernest hamiltonSamsung Canada and French carrier SFR have confirmed the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean rollout schedule for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.
ernest hamiltonThe unlocked, international HTC One is getting Android 4.3 Jelly Bean now, but the U.S. and Canadian versions will 'slightly miss' the end-September timeframe.
ernest hamiltonThe Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are reportedly slated to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean in the fourth quarter, by year-end.
ernest hamilton