Private Browsing: History, Downloads and Site Permissions
History, accounts, downloads, and notifications leave different traces. Decide which one matters rather than treating a private window as anonymity or proof that a site is trustworthy.
A private window mainly changes local records
Chrome does not retain session history and site data after all Incognito windows close, but downloads and bookmarks remain. Websites and network operators may still observe activity. Incognito is not invisibility.
Identify the particular exposure
Reading a page should not require sharing unrelated personal details. These four checks are more specific than searching for one ‘most private’ setting.
Scroll horizontally to see the full table.
| Situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Shared screen | Visible tab names, screen previews, and lock-screen notifications. |
| Sending a form | Necessary fields, the recipient, and accidental personal details. |
| Saving a screenshot | Names, accounts, addresses, or another person’s messages in the image. |
| A permission request | Whether this page genuinely needs location, camera, or notification access. |
A secure connection is not a truth check
Chrome advises checking the domain even on a secure connection and taking care with personal information. Encryption does not verify a review or the publisher’s identity claim. Do not submit private details to a page showing a dangerous-site warning.
Separate evidence from personal details before sharing
For a correction, start with a public URL, the relevant text, and a description. If an image is necessary, inspect its edges and notifications, remove unnecessary details, and check the exported copy rather than only the editing screen.
Spotted an error?
Send the page URL, disputed text, proposed correction, and a public source. Please leave out identity documents and anyone’s private information.
- The full page URL on this site
- The field or wording at issue
- Your proposed correction
- A public source URL and its stated date, if available