Privacy benefits of Firefox when using Gmail and Google Search?
First off, this is more of a discussion question rather than a software issue, so my apologies if this is the wrong place.
Firefox has been my go to desktop browser for years and I prefer it to Chrome or any other browser for its privacy, security, and features. I’ve recently switched to Firefox on iOS and am enjoying having all my tabs synced.
I had always thought that my main reason for using Firefox was its privacy benefits, as I don’t like how Chrome wants you to login and have everything connected to a Google account. However, I use Gmail and Google Search, and believe that they are the best services of their kind in terms of features and usability. The fact that Google saves all your search terms and other data to your account by default and the fact that Gmail allows things such as Amazon to access data in your account did leave a bad taste in my mouth though. I’ve “turned off” Search history and tweaked the other privacy settings to my liking, but I’m not the biggest fan of how Google handles personal data.
Despite my dislikes for their privacy management, I can’t bring myself to use anything else. Like I said, I’ve found Gmail and Google Search to be the best in their class for features and usability, and changing email addresses is a HUGE pain that I’ve already been through once and don’t want to go through again.
Anyway, thinking about these things has left me wondering, what are the privacy benefits of using Firefox over Chrome if I’m just going to use Google services anyway? (I use Docs, Maps, and YouTube on occasion as well, but I’m not as concerned with them). Sure, there’s the blocking of trackers and the like, but that can be accomplished through other means like uBlock or a PiHole.
I’m not in any way bashing Firefox and have no plans on switching, but I’m just wondering, if Google has access to my email and search data anyway, is there any reason to shy away from Chrome as far as privacy goes?
What do you guys think? Do you feel comfortable with using Google for certain things?
All Replies (3)
I would say yes that Firefox has a advantage. For one your not using their browser so that saves feedback to them on your browsing habits.
If you use Google search from within Firefox I think there is a limit to what is sent if your logged into Google and if not logged in all the better.
However... if you sign into your Google account while using Firefox, then Google can associate all of your usage of Google services in Firefox with your Google account, just like it can in any other browser. So a small amount of data would be kept away from them about your browsing habits.
Firefox has private windows, similar to Chrome incognito tabs. Your private windows do not inherit your Google cookies: they share a separate cookie jar. So if you do not log in to your Google account in the private window, then it will be difficult for Google to track your activities (for the most part, you will look like a random user instead of a known user).
I say difficult instead of impossible because if you enable Flash, then sites can store and access "Flash cookies" which I don't think Firefox can separate between regular and private windows.
This is a difference between Firefox and Google Chrome: you don't actually sign into Firefox itself, and your Firefox Sync account, if you set one up, has its own login separate from your Google account. Firefox does not sync with your Google account (it's not a built-in feature, it would require an add-on).
Credit some of the above to jscher2000
Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
Firefox recently introduced the 'Multi-Account Containers' feature. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/
You could create a container for all Google activity, so that Google cookies will be isolated from other browsing activity. Then there's not much of your activity Google can track. The flip side is, you'll need to pay attention not to open Google search links in the Google container.
Another Firefox advantage is the 'Tracking Protection' feature. By default it is only enabled for private browsing mode, however, it can also easily be enabled for normal mode.
Pkshadow said
I would say yes that Firefox has a advantage. For one your not using their browser so that saves feedback to them on your browsing habits. If you use Google search from within Firefox I think there is a limit to what is sent if your logged into Google and if not logged in all the better. However... if you sign into your Google account while using Firefox, then Google can associate all of your usage of Google services in Firefox with your Google account, just like it can in any other browser. So a small amount of data would be kept away from them about your browsing habits. Firefox has private windows, similar to Chrome incognito tabs. Your private windows do not inherit your Google cookies: they share a separate cookie jar. So if you do not log in to your Google account in the private window, then it will be difficult for Google to track your activities (for the most part, you will look like a random user instead of a known user). I say difficult instead of impossible because if you enable Flash, then sites can store and access "Flash cookies" which I don't think Firefox can separate between regular and private windows. This is a difference between Firefox and Google Chrome: you don't actually sign into Firefox itself, and your Firefox Sync account, if you set one up, has its own login separate from your Google account. Firefox does not sync with your Google account (it's not a built-in feature, it would require an add-on). Credit some of the above to jscher2000 Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.
christ1 said
Firefox recently introduced the 'Multi-Account Containers' feature. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/ You could create a container for all Google activity, so that Google cookies will be isolated from other browsing activity. Then there's not much of your activity Google can track. The flip side is, you'll need to pay attention not to open Google search links in the Google container. Another Firefox advantage is the 'Tracking Protection' feature. By default it is only enabled for private browsing mode, however, it can also easily be enabled for normal mode.
Thanks! That multi account container feature sounds brilliant, will definitely give it a try. (I thought I could mark both posts as helpful, but it only let me mark one. So thank you both for the helpful replies.)