Chrome extension developers to show users data collected

Extensions can be of great help to users, but at the same time, they can be a huge privacy nightmare. Google has been making efforts to tighten the noose around Chrome extensions for quite some time. Now, the company has put forth a roadmap for providing transparent privacy practices for Chrome extensions.

Starting in January 2021, each extension's detail page on the Google Chrome Web Store will also display information provided by developers about the data they collected for their extension. Developers can start using the data disclosure collection tool right away. Detailed information on data collection is likely to help users make a more informed decision about the extension they want to install on their browser.

In addition to a more detailed page, Google has also introduced an additional policy that aims to limit the way that extension developers access user data. The policy ensures that user data is for the primary benefit of the user and according to the purpose of the extension. The policy also reiterates that developers cannot sell user data. It also prohibits the use of the collected data for personalized advertising. It also prohibits developers from using user data for "creditworthiness or any form of credit rating and for data brokers or other information resellers."

Chrome extension pages will now also feature a screen to inform users whether or not the developer has complied with the aforementioned policies.

Alexandre Blondin and Mark M. Jaycox, Chrome Product & Policy shared in a blog post, "Protecting users and their data is a fundamental aspect of the work we do on Chrome. Last year, as part of Google's Project Strobe, we announced an important set of policies for extensions to protect users and their data. These policies require extensions to request only the permissions needed to implement their features. Additionally, we required more extensions to post privacy policies and handle user data securely."