Google introduces new privacy policies to improve Chrome extensions

There are more than 180,000 extensions in the Chrome Web Store. Some extensions collect user data without proper permission from users. In order to prevent this situation, Google yesterday announced new privacy policies for Chrome browser extensions. These new policies will be enforced beginning fall of 2019 and if an extension does not comply with these policies after this time period, Google will remove it from Chrome web store.

Here are the new privacy policies for Chrome extensions:

1. We’re requiring extensions to only request access to the appropriate data needed to implement their features. If there is more than one permission that could be used to implement a feature, developers must use the permission with access to the least amount of data. While this has always been encouraged of developers, now we’re making this a requirement for all extensions.
2. We’re requiring more extensions to post privacy policies, including extensions that handle personal communications and user-provided content. Our policies have previously required any extension that handles personal and sensitive user data to post a privacy policy and handle that data securely. Now, we’re expanding this category to include extensions that handle user-provided content and personal communications. Of course, extensions must continue to be transparent in how they handle user data, disclosing the collection, use and sharing of that data.

Source: Google