- Google Chrome is the most data that is hungry mobile web browser, with 20 data types collected
- Most other mobile browsers collect an average of 6 data types
- Chrome and Safari command a market share of 90% mobile browser
The world’s most popular web browsers are also the most data hungry, new research from Surfshark has found.
Analysis of download statistics from AppMagic, Surfshark found Google’s Chrome and Apple Safari account for 90% of the world’s mobile browser –downloads.
However, Chrome sucks up 20 different types of data while using, including contact info, location, browser history and user content, and is the only browser that collects payment methods, card numbers or bank account information.
Chrome data collection
Surfshark points out the reason why some financial information can be stored by Chrome, however, is because users can sign up for saving their bank information for easier transactions.
Microsoft’s Bing took second place for data collection and hoovered 12 types of data, closely followed by PI browser in third place with nine data types, with Safari and Firefox, which collects eight types and shares fourth place.
At the other end of the scale, both brave and Tor are the least data that are hungry browsers, with brave that require identifiers and use data, and TOR collects no data at all.
When it comes to the data collected, PI browser, edge and bing collected all the most tracking data usually sold to third parties to be used for targeted advertising.
PI browser collects browsing history, search history, device -id, product interaction and advertising data, while EDGE collects customer support data and Bing collects user -D data.
In the United States, Safari takes a 50% mobile browser use, with Chrome filling an additional 43% – and the UK follows a similar trend, with Chrome of 47% and Safari of 43%.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent data collection and if you want to keep your data secure while reviewing, it may be worth looking at our guide to the best VPN.
