Google adds new privacy controls to Chrome

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Google has today launched a new Beta version of the Chrome browser, adding brand new privacy controls into the mix. You have to admit it's great timing, what with Microsoft this week making the 'browser ballot' screen available in European version of Windows giving users the option to switch from Internet Explorer to an alternative browser, including Google Chrome right there on the main page of choices.

Google promises to give users "even greater choice and control over their privacy" with the new release, in addition to the existing web footprint free Incognito mode that is. these privacy controls can be found in a new Content Settings section of the Privacy Options dialog.

Controls such as the site by site handling of browser cookies, images, JavaScript, plug-ins, and pop-ups. So, for example, users will now be able to set up cookie rules to allow cookies specifically only for sites that are trusted, and block cookies from those which are not. It is also possible to add cookie rules for specific websites, block all third-party cookies, automatically clear all cookies when the browser is closed, block loading of all images, add image rules for specific websites, block loading of all JavaScript, add JavaScript rules for specific websites, block loading of all plug-ins and add plug-in rules for specific websites.

The new Chrome Beta also adds functionality to enable users to navigate the multilingual web without the need for any browser extensions or plug-ins, courtesy of instant machine translation of webpages. When the language of the webpage you're viewing is different from your default, Chrome displays a prompt offering to translate the page. Users can also opt to automatically translate all pages in any given language if they prefer.

If you are already on the Chrome beta channel your browser will be updated automatically today, everyone else will have to wait a few weeks unfortunately.

Wieland Holfelder, Google 's Engineering Director in Munich, said: "Browsers are perhaps the most important piece of software for computer users today. We're innovating quickly with Chrome, and continue to work towards our three central principles: speed, security and simplicity. With the new release, we also give users even more choice and control over their own privacy while surfing the web. The translate feature will hopefully open up the web for people to discover new, compelling content - no matter what language it's written in".

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As noted, this Chrome beta pushes more fine-grained, per-site privacy controls and adds built-in page translation. For anyone like thinking of switching browsers, treat the change as a configuration exercise rather than a simple feature swap: check whether your essential sites and extensions still work under stricter defaults before committing.

Practical tips: start with conservative defaults and create site exceptions for services you use daily (banking, mail, media). Use private/incognito windows for one-off sessions instead of disabling functionality globally. Expect that removing JavaScript or images will often break modern sites, and blocking plugins will stop many embedded media — useful for security, inconvenient for functionality. Clearing site data on exit increases local privacy but also signs you out of sites, so balance convenience versus privacy for each site.

What these controls do not solve: they reduce client-side exposure but do not eliminate server-side profiling, browser fingerprinting, or network-level logging. Translation features typically send page text to an external translation service, so avoid auto-translate for sensitive pages. If spam is the concern raised by , browser settings help with pop-ups and malicious redirects but will not stop unsolicited email — handle that at the mail filter or server level. For stronger protection, keep Chrome updated and add reputable tracker/script blockers while testing site behavior and whitelists.

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Tech B 48 Posting Whiz in Training

Director in Munich, said: "Browsers are perhaps the most important piece of software for computer users today. We're innovating quickly with Chrome, and continue to work towards our three central principles: speed, security and simplicity. With the new release, we also give users even more choice and control over their own privacy while surfing the web. The translate feature will hopefully open up the web for people to discover new, compelling content - no matter what language it's written in".

Most defiantly agreed. For average computer users, the browser is the most important thing about a computer(besides media). About 85% of the people I know use the computer mainly for the internet. The other 10% use is for games/music/movies. And the last 5% is for IT stuff such as programming, web design, and hacking.

I personally use Fire Fox, but am seriously considering switching to Chrome.

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Tech B 48 Posting Whiz in Training

I hate spammers...

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