#private browsing in chrome

[luvashli]

PRIVATE SHOPPING

Synopsis -> When Chrome Hearts employee Y/N meets global idol Ni-ki, a professional encounter turns into forbidden tension. Despite the rules, their undeniable connection pushes them to risk everything for a chance at something real.

PAIRING: idol!ni-ki x fem!chromeheartsemployee!reader

GENRE: oneshot, romance, forbidden love, Celebrity/Non-Celebrity Relationship, Workplace Drama

STARTED: 1/26/2025

STATUS: complete

WC: 2.9k

Note: haha i just wrote this for fun, after seeing all those videos of ni-ki in the chrome hearts store on tiktok. Enjoy :)

The quiet hum of the air conditioner filled the otherwise silent Chrome Hearts shop. You were used to the serene atmosphere, where the only sounds were the clinks of jewelry and the murmurs of clients admiring the pieces.

Today, however, the shop wasn’t open to the public. A private appointment had been scheduled for someone important—so important that the entire store had been rented out for the occasion.

You adjusted a display of necklaces for the third time that morning, your hands steady but your thoughts racing. Your manager had emphasized the importance of professionalism today, which you found slightly redundant. Being professional was second nature to you.

When the glass door finally swung open, the sound startled you out of your thoughts. You straightened instinctively, your gaze falling on the figure walking in.

He was taller than you’d expected, his dark hair slightly tousled and his oversized hoodie making him look effortlessly casual. You recognized him immediately—Ni-ki, the youngest member of one of the most famous idol groups in the world.

His fame wasn’t something you actively followed, but even you couldn’t avoid hearing his name. It was everywhere—on billboards, in magazines, and in playlists.

“Good afternoon,” you greeted politely, bowing slightly as he stepped further into the shop.

He looked at you, his eyes curious but guarded. “Afternoon,” he replied, his voice quieter than you’d imagined it would be. He pulled down his mask slightly, revealing a polite smile.

“Feel free to let me know if you need assistance,” you added, keeping your tone neutral.

He nodded, his attention already wandering to the displays around him.

For a while, you let him browse in peace, watching discreetly as he moved from one case to another. Despite his casual demeanor, there was a sharpness to the way he observed each piece of jewelry, as if he were studying it.

Finally, he paused by a display of rings. You stepped forward, maintaining a respectful distance. “Are you looking for something specific today?”

“What would you recommend for someone who already owns a lot of Chrome Hearts?”

The question caught you slightly off guard. “That depends on what you’re looking for,” you replied smoothly. “Are you interested in adding to your collection, or are you looking for something unique?”

“Both,” he said, leaning casually against the counter. “I’ve been collecting Chrome Hearts for years. It’s kind of an obsession at this point.”

You raised an eyebrow, curious despite yourself. “An obsession?”

He smiled, sensing your interest. “Yeah. I think I was fifteen when I got my first piece—a ring. It was a gift from a stylist on one of our first shoots. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked. I love the craftsmanship, the designs... everything about it feels timeless.”

You nodded, genuinely impressed. “You don’t hear that often. Most clients are more interested in trends.”

“I’m not really into trends,” he said, his tone thoughtful. “I like things that have meaning, things that last. That’s why I keep coming back to Chrome Hearts. Every piece feels like it has a story.”

You considered his words for a moment, then reached into a nearby display case. “If that’s the case, you might like this.”

You handed him a silver chain with an intricately designed cross pendant. “This piece is part of a limited collection. The design is inspired by vintage Chrome Hearts from the early 2000s. It’s subtle, but the detail makes it stand out.”

Ni-ki examined the necklace closely, his fingers brushing over the pendant. “This is perfect,” he said after a moment.

“I’m glad you like it,” you replied, stepping back slightly.

As he continued to look at the piece, he glanced up at you. “You know a lot about this brand,” he remarked.

“It’s part of the job,” you said simply.

He smirked. “Yeah, but you sound like you actually care. That’s rare.”

You didn’t respond immediately, unsure how to take the compliment. Instead, you focused on returning the other pieces to their proper places.

“So, what about you?” he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

“What about me?”

“Do you have a favorite piece from the collection?”

You hesitated, not used to being the one answering questions. “I don’t own any Chrome Hearts,” you admitted.

“Really?” He looked genuinely surprised.

“It’s not exactly in my budget,” you said with a small shrug.

He chuckled softly. “Fair enough. But if you could pick one piece, what would it be?”

You thought for a moment before pointing to a sleek silver cuff bracelet in one of the displays. “That one. It’s simple but versatile.”

Ni-ki followed your gaze, nodding in approval. “Good choice. Maybe one day I’ll see you wearing it.”

You glanced at him, unsure how to respond. Before you could say anything, he placed the necklace and a few other items on the counter.

He looked up at you then, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. “How long have you been working here?”

“Long enough to know what fits our clients,” you answered, deflecting the question slightly.

He chuckled softly, slipping the ring onto his finger. “You’re good at this.”

“Thank you.”

There was a brief silence as he admired the fit of the ring, and you took the opportunity to step back, giving him space.

“What’s your name?” he asked suddenly, catching you off guard.

You hesitated. “It’s Y/N,” you said eventually, keeping your tone polite.

“Y/N,” he repeated, as if testing how it sounded. “I like it.”

You offered a polite smile but didn’t respond, returning to rearranging a nearby display.

Ni-ki continued browsing, occasionally asking for your opinion on a piece. As the minutes turned into an hour, you found yourself impressed by his genuine interest in the craftsmanship. He wasn’t just buying for the sake of it—he seemed to truly appreciate the designs.

Still, you kept a professional distance, even as he grew more conversational.

“You’re really serious about this, huh?” he said at one point, leaning against the counter as you placed a necklace back into its case.

“It’s my job,” you replied simply.

“And you’re good at it,” he said again, his tone sincere this time. “I mean it.”

“Thank you,” you said again, not letting his compliment fluster you.

He smiled at your calm demeanor, clearly amused by your lack of reaction. “You don’t get nervous around clients, do you?”

“Why would I?” you asked, meeting his gaze evenly.

His smile widened. “Most people do.”

“Well, I’m not most people,” you said before you could stop yourself.

He laughed at that, the sound warm and genuine. “I can see that.”

The rest of the appointment went smoothly, though Ni-ki’s subtle attempts at small talk didn’t go unnoticed. By the time he’d chosen a ring and a necklace, the tension between professionalism and casual conversation hung in the air.

As he approached the door to leave, he turned back to you. “Thanks for your help, Y/N.”

“Of course,” you replied, bowing slightly.

“Have a good day, Mr. Nishimura,” you replied, your tone as professional as ever.

He paused by the door, looking back at you one last time. “See you around, Y/N.”

You didn’t respond, watching as the door closed behind him. Shaking your head, you returned to organizing the displays, telling yourself it was just another workday.

But deep down, you had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time you’d see him.

The Chrome Hearts event was in full swing, a buzzing culmination of celebrities, designers, and photographers mingling under the warm glow of chandeliers. You stood off to the side of the bustling fitting area, adjusting racks of jackets and accessories while trying to ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

This wasn’t your first time working an event like this, but it was your first time with stakes this high. Chrome Hearts had pulled out all the stops, and ENHYPEN, one of the biggest names in the industry, was headlining the night.

You’d been assigned to assist with styling, specifically to help dress Riki Nishimura.

Your mind flashed back to your first encounter with him at the store. Despite his playful demeanor, he’d left an impression that was hard to shake. And now, here you were, preparing to see him again, knowing full well that professionalism was non-negotiable.

“Y/N, they’re here,” your manager said, motioning toward the private fitting area.

You turned just in time to see the group of seven walk in, their presence commanding the room instantly. Cameras flashed as they greeted the event organizers, each member exuding confidence in their own way.

Ni-ki trailed at the back, dressed casually in ripped jeans and a hoodie, but his sharp gaze scanned the room until it landed on you. A flicker of recognition crossed his face, followed by a small, knowing smirk.

You quickly looked away, busying yourself with the clothes rack in front of you.

“Y/N, you’ll be with Mr. Nishimura,” your manager reminded you, handing you the clipboard with his outfit details.

“Understood,” you replied, keeping your voice steady.

When Ni-ki stepped into the fitting area, you greeted him with a polite nod. “Good evening, Mr. Nishimura.”

“Y/N,” he said smoothly, his tone teasing. “Nice to see you again.”

You kept your expression neutral. “Let’s get started. Your outfit is over here.”

He followed you to the rack, where a carefully curated ensemble awaited—a tailored leather jacket, silver accessories, and sleek black boots. As you began arranging the pieces for him, he leaned against the wall, watching you with an intensity that made your skin tingle.

“You’re really good at this,” he said after a moment.

“Thank you,” you replied without looking up, focusing instead on adjusting the jacket’s cuffs.

“Have you been doing this for long?” he asked, his voice low and casual.

“Long enough,” you said curtly, stepping back to give him space to change.

He chuckled softly, after hearing nearly the same answers to his questions like the last time. “Still keeping it professional, huh?”

“It’s my job,” you reminded him, crossing your arms.

As he slipped into the jacket, his movements deliberate, you couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly the pieces fit him. He had a natural presence that made even the simplest outfits look like high fashion.

When he turned to face you, fully dressed, you adjusted the silver chain around his neck, your fingers brushing against his skin for the briefest moment. The contact sent a jolt through you, but you quickly pulled back, masking your reaction.

“Looks perfect,” you said, stepping away.

“Thanks to you,” he said, his voice quieter now. His gaze lingered on you, and for a moment, the air between you felt charged with something unspoken.

You turned away quickly, busying yourself with the clipboard. “You’re ready for the photos.”

As he joined the rest of the group, the atmosphere shifted. The other members greeted you briefly—Jay’s charismatic smile, Sunghoon’s quiet nod, Sunoo’s cheerful wave—but your focus remained on keeping everything running smoothly.

It wasn’t until the group dispersed for a break that Ni-ki found a moment to approach you again, this time in a quieter corner of the venue.

“Y/N,” he said softly, his tone different now—less playful, more serious.

You glanced up from the accessory case you were organizing. “Yes, Mr. Nishimura?”

“Drop the ‘Mr.,’” he said with a small smirk. “It’s just Ni-ki.”

You hesitated, your professionalism warring with the tension that seemed to grow every time he was near. “How can I help you, Mr. Nishimura?” You emphasize his last Name.

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I was wondering if you’d let me have your number.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “That’s against the rules,” you said firmly, though your resolve wavered under his gaze.

He tilted his head, a sly smile playing on his lips. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

You stared at him, torn between the strict boundaries of your job and the undeniable pull of his presence. Finally, with a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, you reached for a notepad on the counter.

“Don’t make me regret this,” you muttered, scribbling your number down and tearing off the piece of paper.

His fingers brushed yours as he took it, his smile softening. “I won’t,” he promised.

Before you could respond, your manager’s voice called you back to work, and the moment ended as quickly as it began.

As you walked away, you felt Ni-ki’s eyes on you, the forbidden tension between you lingering like an unspoken secret.

Weeks passed after the Chrome Hearts event, and though you tried to maintain a professional distance, everything had changed. The slip of paper with your number on it had been the beginning of a line you never thought you’d cross.

It started with late-night texts.

The first one came a day after the event:

[Unknown Number]: Is it weird that I can’t stop thinking about how you chose that bracelet?

You stared at the screen for longer than you wanted to admit before typing a response.

[You]: It’s weird that you’re texting me when this is technically against the rules.

He replied almost instantly.

[Ni-ki]: Rules are overrated. Especially for something that feels this… different.

And that was how it began.

Over time, the texts turned into calls, the playful teasing evolving into deeper conversations. Ni-ki wasn’t just a global idol with an obsession for Chrome Hearts; he was surprisingly down-to-earth, funny, and honest in a way that caught you off guard.

But as the weeks went on, keeping things secret grew harder.

The first time he showed up at the store unannounced, you nearly had a heart attack.

He arrived disguised in a plain hoodie and cap, his presence still unmistakable. “I was in the area,” he said with a grin, leaning casually against the counter.

“You shouldn’t be here,” you hissed, glancing nervously at your manager, who was busy in the back.

“And yet here I am,” he replied, his tone light but his gaze serious. “I couldn’t help it.”

Against your better judgment, you allowed him to linger, though every minute felt like a risk. When he left, he slipped a small silver ring onto the counter, one you’d once admired during your conversations.

“For you,” he said simply.

You stared at it, shaking your head. “Ni-ki, I can’t—”

“You can,” he interrupted softly. “Just don’t tell anyone.”

And just like that, the line blurred even further.

The turning point came during another Chrome Hearts event, this time at a private gala where the brand unveiled a new collection. You were there to assist again, your role similar to before, though now the tension between you and Ni-ki felt almost unbearable.

He arrived with the other members, dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit adorned with silver accents. When his eyes found yours across the room, the connection was instant, as if the noise and chaos around you didn’t exist.

As the evening wore on, he found small excuses to be near you—a whispered question about his cufflinks, a fleeting brush of his hand against yours as you adjusted his collar. Every interaction sent your pulse racing, though you tried to hide it.

But it wasn’t enough for him.

Toward the end of the night, he cornered you in a quiet hallway outside the main ballroom. His expression was serious, his usual playful demeanor replaced by something more vulnerable.

“Y/N,” he said, his voice low, “this thing between us… I can’t keep pretending it doesn’t exist.”

You crossed your arms, trying to put up a wall you knew would crumble under his gaze. “We shouldn’t be doing this, Ni-ki. If anyone finds out—”

“I don’t care,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “I know it’s risky, but I can’t ignore how I feel. Can you?”

His words left you speechless. For weeks, you’d tried to convince yourself that it was just harmless flirting, that you could keep things professional despite the way your heart raced whenever he was near. But now, standing so close to him, the truth was impossible to deny.

“Ni-ki…” you began, your voice faltering.

“I’m not asking you to break every rule,” he said softly. “I just want a chance. A real chance.”

You hesitated, the weight of his words sinking in. Part of you wanted to say no, to walk away before things got even more complicated. But the way he looked at you—as if you were the only person in the world who mattered—made it impossible.

Finally, you nodded, your resolve crumbling. “Okay,” you whispered.

His expression shifted into a mixture of relief and joy, and for the first time, he let his guard down completely.

From that moment on, everything changed.

The relationship that followed was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. You met in secret, stealing moments when his schedule allowed it. Late-night car rides, quiet dinners in hidden corners of the city, and whispered conversations that stretched into the early hours of the morning.

But the secrecy only fueled the intensity. Every touch, every glance, every stolen kiss carried the weight of what was at stake.

And though the risk was always there, neither of you could walk away.

Because in the end, some rules were meant to be broken.

Masterlist

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[mariacallous]

If you still hold any notion that Google Chrome’s “Incognito mode” is a good way to protect your privacy online, now’s a good time to stop.

Google has agreed to delete “billions of data records” the company collected while users browsed the web using Incognito mode, according to documents filed in federal court in San Francisco on Monday. The agreement, part of a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed in 2020, caps off years of disclosures about Google’s practices that shed light on how much data the tech giant siphons from its users—even when they’re in private-browsing mode.

Under the terms of the settlement, Google must further update the Incognito mode “splash page” that appears anytime you open an Incognito mode Chrome window after previously updating it in January. The Incognito splash page will explicitly state that Google collects data from third-party websites “regardless of which browsing or browser mode you use,” and stipulate that “third-party sites and apps that integrate our services may still share information with Google,” among other changes. Details about Google’s private-browsing data collection must also appear in the company’s privacy policy.

Additionally, some of the data that Google previously collected on Incognito users will be deleted. This includes “private-browsing data” that is “older than nine months” from the date that Google signed the term sheet of the settlement last December, as well as private-browsing data collected throughout December 2023. Certain documents in the case referring to Google's data collection methods remain sealed, however, making it difficult to assess how thorough the deletion process will be.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda says in a statement that the company “is happy to delete old technical data that was never associated with an individual and was never used for any form of personalization.” Castaneda also noted that the company will now pay “zero” dollars as part of the settlement after earlier facing a $5 billion penalty.

Other steps Google must take will include continuing to “block third-party cookies within Incognito mode for five years,” partially redacting IP addresses to prevent re-identification of anonymized user data, and removing certain header information that can currently be used to identify users with Incognito mode active.

The data-deletion portion of the settlement agreement follows preemptive changes to Google’s Incognito mode data collection and the ways it describes what Incognito mode does. For nearly four years, Google has been phasing out third-party cookies, which the company says it plans to completely block by the end of 2024. Google also updated Chrome’s Incognito mode “splash page” in January with weaker language to signify that using Incognito is not “private,” but merely “more private” than not using it.

The settlement's relief is strictly “injunctive,” meaning its central purpose is to put an end to Google activities that the plaintiffs claim are unlawful. The settlement does not rule out any future claims—The Wall Street Journal reports that the plaintiffs’ attorneys had filed at least 50 such lawsuits in California on Monday—though the plaintiffs note that monetary relief in privacy cases is far more difficult to obtain. The important thing, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argue, is effecting changes at Google now that will provide the greatest, immediate benefit to the largest number of users.

Critics of Incognito, a staple of the Chrome browser since 2008, say that, at best, the protections it offers fall flat in the face of the sophisticated commercial surveillance bearing down on most users today; at worst, they say, the feature fills people with a false sense of security, helping companies like Google passively monitor millions of users who've been duped into thinking they're browsing alone.

[beardedmrbean]

Apple is warning its iPhone users to delete a common app, claiming it’s a danger to digital privacy.

Without mentioning the company by name, Apple issued a video warning for users to stop using Google Chrome.

In a video titled “Privacy on iPhone | Flock,” parodies Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film “The Birds” to demonstrate how browser information isn’t really hidden from trackers.

“Flock” is likely a play on Google’s initial tracking cookie replacement plan called FLoC (Federated Learning of Cohorts), which “is a new way for advertisers and sites to show relevant ads without tracking individuals across the web.”

In the video, iPhone users are being followed by surveillance cameras when browsing the internet, and the cameras finally explode and leave the user alone when they decide to use Safari as their browser.

The video from Apple is gaining traction after Google announced Tuesday that it won’t remove third-party cookies in Chrome after promising to do so.

The controversy has led Apple to promote its browser, Safari, as a “browser that’s actually private.”

Chrome allows websites and advertisers to track users’ activity in order to serve personalized ads, which also brings in a multi-billion-dollar revenue stream for Google.

The 36-year-old didn't respond to reporters' shouted questions as he walked into a Long Island courthouse, but he told The Associated Press on Thursday that he’s resigned to his fate.

“I’m doing as well as any human being would be doing given the circumstances,” Santos wrote in a text message on Thursday, adding that he was “ready to face the music.”

Prosecutors are seeking seven years in federal prison for Santos, arguing in recent court filings that he “remains unrepentant” and has not shown genuine remorse, despite what he claims.

Google initially planned to get rid of third-party cookies and develop a new way to issue targeted ads while still preserving user privacy, but the plan fell apart and the company has chosen to “maintain our current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome.”

Tracking cookies aren’t inherently bad themselves, but they can open the door to privacy risks and sometime increase the likelihood of your data and sensitive information being leaked or stolen — meaning if you have an iPhone and use Chrome, you likely will continue to be tracked unless you use Incognito Mode or clear cookies manually.

Apple’s argument that Safari is safer has been backed up by experts, too.

“When it comes down to your security, Safari is probably your best bet,” Elly Hancock from Private Internet Access said in a blog post.

“Safari is more secure and privacy-friendly than Chrome, but Chrome is faster and offers enhanced performance.”

[jungwildeandfree]

"While Chrome has taken plenty of flack (sic) for tracking, this takes it to a new, very different level. 'In the past decade,' Google says, 'the way people engage with the internet changed dramatically. So we’re constantly evaluating our policies to ensure they reflect the latest evolutions in technology and meet our partners’ needs and users’ expectations.' And so from February 16, Google will be 'less prescriptive with partners in how they target and measure ads' across 'the broader range of surfaces on which ads are served (such as Connected TVs and gaming consoles).'"

Translation: (as far as I know) Google currently intends to move Chrome from a cookies-based tracking system to a digital fingerprinting system. What this basically means is that the locus of tracking is no longer a device you control (i.e. your computer); you cannot escape fingerprinting by simply erasing local data.

"At its simplest, while tracking cookies are a nasty underpin to the internet, they can be seen and controlled, whether by those website popups or electing to use some form of private browsing that blocks such cookies altogether. Digital fingerprinting is not as obvious and so is harder to spot and to block, it’s also more open to clever manipulation as the tracking industry tests boundaries."

[megid0nt]

Ok, so I'll admit SSL is a slight blind spot for me because I have virtually no use case for it*, so maybe someone else knows but like

Chrome recently started putting a caution nag on http sites on private browsing windows to warn that you that it "doesn't support a secure connection"

[image not mine]

But... I was under the impression that incognito browsing sessions were supposed to not track history locally -- and that's it. Why the hell are they acting like it's some secure browsing paradigm?

Anyway, an HTTP server is what I want to run, not an HTTPS server. I don't need repute, I don't want anyone establishing a trust relationship with my server because they SHOULDN'T trust my server, and the modern push to HTTPS first and foremost is weird!

*I have a VPN server running so I can remotely manage my server locally, and that uses its own encryption; however, nothing about my web server should behave differently for different users, no data there is private, and even the most I'd want to do - keep thousands of strangers at a time from inadvertently ddos'ing my filestore to download anime - can be accomplished through http basic auth since I there's no private data accessible from the web whatsoever

[your-dads-filing-cabinet]

HOW DO YOU ADD BLOCKTUBE I NEEED

HI YES THAT IS INDEED BLOCKTUBE

Ok so I use Firefox so idk if it works with google/chrome but

Here is the link through Firefox!!

On mobile browser under the three dots menu (up in the right hand corner) a drop down menu will show up with an option called "extensions". That's how you'll manage any extensions you have or want to add!! It allows you to decide stuff like permissions and whether you want it to work in private browsing etc etc. AAAAAA I HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL!!!! If you have anymore questions pls pls feel free to ask any follow up questions!!!!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

TONIGHT (July 20), I'm appearing in CHICAGO at Exile in Bookville.

#20yrsago Militant wing of the accessibility movement https://web.archive.org/web/20040722063824/http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,64253,00.html

#15yrsago UK National Portrait Gallery threatens Wikipedia over scans of its public domain art https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8156268.stm

#15yrsago Publishers’ shibboleths vs the future of publishing https://publishingperspectives.com/2009/07/why-publishing-cannot-be-saved-as-it-is/

#15yrsago Amazon’s Orwellian deletion of Kindle books https://memex.craphound.com/2009/07/20/amazons-orwellian-deletion-of-kindle-books/

#10yrsago Anti-NSA messages projected on US embassy in Berlin https://www.theverge.com/2014/7/19/5918473/german-artist-protests-nsa-with-light-graffiti-on-us-embassy-in-berlin

#10yrsago US “suspected terrorist” database had 1.5M names added to it in past 5 years https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/07/18/terrorist-database-continues-to-grow-at-rapid-rate/

#10yrsago Audio from Snowden/Ellsberg panel at HOPEX https://www.mediafire.com/download/mu7yqb1b1y7jty5/Ellsberg-Snowden-at-HopeX.mp3

#5yrsago Three California Nazis sentenced to prison for their participation in the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/three-members-california-based-white-supremacist-group-sentenced-riots-charges-related

#5yrsago A free, accessible, hyperlinked version of the Mueller Report https://blog.archive.org/2019/07/19/the-mueller-report-now-with-linked-footnotes-and-accessible/

#5yrsago Eminent psychologists condemn “emotion detection” systems as being grounded in junk science https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/emotional-expressions-reconsidered-challenges-to-inferring-emotion-from-human-facial-movements.html

#5yrsago Equifax settles with FTC, CFPB, states, and consumer class actions for $700m https://nypost.com/2019/07/19/equifax-agrees-to-pay-700m-after-massive-data-breach/

#5yrsago Chrome is patching a bug that lets sites detect and block private browsing mode, declares war on incognito-blocking https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/07/chrome-76-prevents-nyt-and-other-news-sites-from-detecting-incognito-mode/

#1yrago Private equity ghouls have a new way to steal from their investors https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/20/continuation-fraud/#buyout-groups

Support me this summer on the Clarion Write-A-Thon and help raise money for the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop!

[ranidspace]

if you MUST use a chromium brower. I'd save brave is probably the best option

open source, in built customizable adblockers, and it's not their own proprietary one, it's specifically based on open source maintained community lists, exactly how ublock origin works (they have not said if this will work after Manifest V2 gets removed)

Out of the box, brave is much more private than firefox, and ESPECIALLY chrome.

privacyguides.org recommends changing these settings:

[text version of this screenshot in the link above, along with the clickable links, under "brave" and "settings"]

cons:

owner is a cryptohead. there's a lot of cryptocurrency and "web3" features by default. all can be disabled though. the crypto features, BAT and brave wallet aren't even that private compared to other cryptocurrencies.

a lot less customization, visually and functionally.

while better than out-of-box firefox for privacy, librewolf, or just messing around in the firefox settings is good (strict tracking protection and ublock is all you need)

as with any chromium browser, it's google's bitch.

it has a built in vpn which sucks ass. sure firefox has a vpn, but it's just a fork of mullvad, which is better. (you dont need a vpn for browsing the internet and extension/browser built in ones do fuck all in situations where it's useful)

used private and copywrited data to train AI

Reminder. this is probably the best and most private chromium browser. so. what did we learn. just use firefox

[origami-butterfly]

Experiment time!! Can everyone please go to xkcd 1037, "umwelt" and let me know which comic you got!

A full list of the comics and their titles can be found here

[cpasmarketing]

The Role Of HTTPS In SEO Secure Your Accounting Website

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital security and online presence, the importance of securing your accounting website with HTTPS cannot be overstated. HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is not just a technical jargon��it’s a critical element that significantly impacts your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) and, ultimately, the trustworthiness of your accounting firm. Let’s delve into the reasons why HTTPS is essential and how it can play a pivotal role in securing and enhancing your online presence.

Security Assurance:

HTTPS provides a secure and encrypted connection between the user’s browser and your accounting website’s server. This encryption ensures that sensitive data, such as client information and financial details, remains private and protected from potential cyber threats. In an era where data breaches are a real concern, having a secure website builds trust with your clients and safeguards your reputation.

Search Engine Ranking Boost:

Search engines, especially Google, prioritize user safety and privacy. As a result, websites with HTTPS receive a ranking boost in search results. Google considers HTTPS as a ranking signal, meaning that secure websites are more likely to appear higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This boost can contribute to increased visibility and, consequently, more traffic to your accounting website.

Browser Security Warnings:

Modern web browsers, such as Google Chrome, have started to label websites without HTTPS as “Not Secure.” This warning can deter potential clients from staying on your website, causing them to abandon it before exploring your accounting services. By adopting HTTPS, you eliminate these warnings and create a seamless and secure browsing experience for your visitors.

User Trust and Confidence:

Clients seeking accounting services are likely to share sensitive information on your website. The sight of the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating a secure connection, instills confidence in users. This trust is invaluable, especially in a profession where confidentiality and reliability are paramount. The implementation of HTTPS assures your clients that their data is handled with the utmost care.

Compliance with Industry Standards:

As the digital landscape evolves, compliance with industry standards becomes increasingly important. Many regulatory bodies and industry associations require secure connections for websites handling financial or personal information. Adopting HTTPS ensures that your accounting website meets these standards, positioning your firm as a responsible and compliant entity.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the adoption of HTTPS is not merely a technical formality; it is a strategic move that influences the success of your accounting firm online. The secure connection it provides not only protects sensitive data but also positively impacts your search engine rankings, user trust, and overall online reputation. With the expertise of an SEO agency for accountants, prioritizing the security of your website becomes a seamless process, reinforcing your commitment to digital trust and setting your practice apart in the competitive online landscape.

By prioritizing the security of your website, you’re not only complying with industry standards but also sending a powerful message to your clients—that their privacy and security are at the forefront of your priorities. 

[itslilybat]

If you're new to tumblr for whatever reason it may be, here's some advice:

Put an age (pronouns good too but not necessary) in your bio. It helps 18+ blogs like myself filter out minors to keep them and us safe

Set a profile picture, try not to use a selfie just out of general internet safety (but do whatever you want I'm not your mom), bot accounts either have some stolen picture of a random woman from google images or have no pfp, so having something custom even if it's just some anime screenshot or a picture of a worm, it helps

Hide your Likes and Following. It's just best for people to not see your business; if you aren't a 18+ blog but you find yourself following and liking spicy stuff, or if you don't want people to crawl through your likes or following and decide to write you a callout post because they decided something in there was morally wrong, then I'd recommend keeping this stuff private.

Following is for posts in chronological order by the blogs you follow.

For You is an algorithm based on the kinds of posts, blogs, and tags you interact with. For You isn't as bad as Twitter's, but its still a weird algorithm.

If you want people outside of your following to see your posts, tag them accordingly. Instead of tagging NSFW, tag as NSFT as tumblr is still using its horribly inconsistent porn ban and tags like NSFW sometimes won't work.

Download xkit https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/xkit-rewritten/ as it gives a lot of features the site should already have (You can also use Xkit to create a blacklist that could potentially allow you to completely omit any posts that are tagged with certain things, such as #spoiler, #nsft, #tw [insert trigger here]. Also, try to be good with tagging things that could be potentially triggering by tagging as #[trigger] or #tw [trigger]. If you aren't sure what to tag, just try your best and if someone replies or DMs you asking you to tw tag it, please try your best to be nice and just tag it accordingly in the future. But again, I'm not your mom, so you can do whatever you want I guess)

And not necessarily exclusively for tumblr but some other good QOL stuff to do while you're doing all that:

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Use FireFox. Please. I care about you. Chrome is a bloated browser that eats your RAM, and soon it seems like they're not going to play nice with adblockers or similar plugins to make your internet browsing as safe as it should be. Do yourself a favor and make the switch, you can import all your tabs and bookmarks and you'll thank me and yourself for it.

https://ublockorigin.com/ Download uBlock Origin for FireFox, it is the best adblocker+ currently available. Look into their website for more information on what it's capable of. none of this is hard required (but please actually for real put an age in your bio i'm not kidding) so don't take this as "we'll kill you if you don't do everything just like we do" but if you feel lost or confused, I hope this can help you just a little bit

[mariacallous]

Imagine, for a moment, that your most clandestine internet searches—anxiety-riddled deep dives on WebMD, Google queries wondering if your cat is trying to kill you, or why farts smell the way they do—were the key to finding a soulmate. Would you sign up for a dating site that guaranteed connection in return for your browser history?

For more than a decade, developers have tried to perfect the science of compatibility. Tinder promised infinite swipes. Bumble let women make the first move. Feeld championed polyamory. Grindr was a gay utopia (until it became overrun with ads). Lex was entirely text based. And Pure, an anonymous dating app, was all about shameless hookups. Now as AI reimagines the landscape of Big Dating, one platform is offering a solution no one asked for: matching singles based on their browser histories.

While the idea sounds antithetical to an era where dating and social media profiles writ large are perfectly curated, that’s exactly the point, according to Browser Dating artist and developer Dries Depoorter, who is known for creating digital projects with an eye for mischief that blur the line between reality and farce. (He insists the dating site is 100 percent legit.)

“There’s honesty in that,” Depoorter, who is based in Ghent, Belgium, says of the concept.

Despite their flaws, dating sites and apps also remain the best place to meet future partners (if you’re young and horny they are mostly unavoidable). According to Pew Research, 42 percent of US adults say online dating made finding a partner easier.

But online dating today has become more about the illusion of potential rather than the reality of who someone actually is. The attraction of discovery—believing our private curiosities make for a better portrait of who people actually are—appealed to Depoorter. He thinks Browser Dating can be a genuine alternative to finding genuine love.

As opposed to Hinge or Raya, where users craft their profiles with expertly angled-photos and facts cherry-picked to make themselves seem as witty and interesting as possible, on Browser Dating, there is no hiding the real you. “Instead of choosing the best pictures or best things about yourself, this will show a side of you that you’d never pick. You’re not able to choose from your search history—you have to upload all of it.”

Though, for now at least, users of Browser Dating have a small pool to choose from—less than 1,000 users have signed up since its launch last week. Users are first required to download a Chrome or Firefox extension, which they use to export their recent browser history and then upload to the site. Profiles feature the usual bare outline of a person: age, location, gender, and sexual preference. A browsing personality profile is also generated for each user, offering insight into how they navigate the internet. Matches are not limited by location, though Depoorter says there is an option to restrict search by state or country, if they so choose. Once matched, you won’t see the other person’s search history, only a summary of “fun facts” about shared interests—perhaps pointing out your bizarre Wikipedia obsession with the “dancing plague” or the time of day you’re most active online—which is meant to accentuate the harmonies of your online behaviors.

Unlike most dating apps, which charge monthly or annual fees for their paid tiers, there is only a one-time payment of €9 to sign up granting users unlimited matches; a free option limits users to five matches. Depoorter says he doesn’t want to exploit users by having them pay on a recurring basis. When I suggest that that kind of pay model is mostly unheard of today, he pushes back. “I’m an artist, I like to do things differently.”

Early reviews and reactions have been mixed. “Super weird,” one app developer noted on X.

“This is the wildest idea,” said another user on Product Hunt. “I love the audacity.”

“Good to see the privacy focus from the start given how sensitive some of this data might be,” a programmer posted on Bluesky.

The biggest concern for users—justifiably so—is around privacy and user safety, and given the amount of personal data the Depoorter is asking people to fork over, those issues are also on his mind. The site scans up to 5,000 recent browser searches or goes back as far as search history is stored, which could be several years, but never exceeds the maximum number of entries. (Browsing data from Incognito mode sessions cannot be uploaded). Depoorter uses Firebase, Google’s open-source tool for developing AI apps, to store and manage data.

“It’s not exposed to the internet.” Depoorter says of the AI processing, which he says happens locally. “I don’t want to expose any browser history to another company.”

Already there have been complaints of lagging email verification and the site not allowing users to delete their profile; Depoorter says he has since fixed these issues. Browser Dating doesn’t currently allow for the uploading of photos, but he is working to change that, and says he plans to implement more features in the coming months, including an app for easier communication between connections and a recommendation feature that suggest possible first date locations.

The idea originally came to Depoorter in 2016 at V2, an experimental art and tech center in Rotterdam. He was hosting a workshop that explored unique connections between attendees who were familiar with his work and who agreed to share a year’s worth of their search history.

The nature of Depoorter’s art as a digital provocateur has sought to interrogate the subtext of hidden connections, taking a “critical and humorous” approach to some of the most urgent questions of his generation. Surveillance, AI, machine learning, and social media are recurring themes across his explorations. “Difficult subjects,” he says when we speak over Zoom. “But there is no big message. I want to leave that open. If anything, I want to show what is possible with technology in a playful way.”

In 2018, in a series titled “Jaywalking,” he turned live surveillance feeds into video art, forcing viewers to confront the use of public data as a means of privacy invasion. He followed that with Die With Me, a chatroom app that could only be accessed when your phone had less than 5 percent battery life; though Depoorter is quick to reject definitive interpretations of his art, it read as a comment on the value of time and the importance of how to use it when we know it’s running short. For those who can look beyond the shock of Browser Dating’s initial conceit, the question is also an urgent one: What if the curiosities we try so hard to conceal are actually the things that can bring us together?

Depoorter, 34, doesn’t claim to be any kind of dating guru. “I’m not a specialist,” he tells me. He surfed Tinder in the app’s early days but has been with his partner for 10 years. He promises that despite his work as an artist, the site is not a gimmick, and he wants to continue to scale. Already people have suggested that it might work better for matching potential friends rather than romantic partners. Depoorter anticipates there will be hurdles but doesn’t sugarcoat them; he is aware of just how difficult it may be to onboard users hesitant to share their personal anxieties and desires.

“Either people are fans of the idea or they are not,” he says. “There is no convincing them.”

[digitaltechside]

The Power and Perks of VPNs in the Chrome Web Store

Introduction:

In an era dominated by digital connectivity and online interactions, ensuring our privacy and security while browsing the web has become paramount. One indispensable tool that has gained significant popularity in this regard is the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Among the myriad of VPN options available, the Chrome Web Store stands out as a convenient hub for users seeking reliable VPN services seamlessly integrated into their browsing experience.

Understanding VPNs:

Before delving into the world of VPNs available on the Chrome Web Store, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental concept of a Virtual Private Network. At its core, a VPN is a technology that establishes a secure and encrypted connection over the internet, allowing users to transmit data privately and securely. This encryption not only safeguards sensitive information but also masks the user’s IP address, providing anonymity and preventing unauthorized access to personal data.

Read More:-

[werewolf-kat]

How can Google's decisions for Chrome get any WORSE? What on earth is this?!

The gist: Google wants to implement a "feature" for website owners/developers to be selective on who can see their website. These devs (or their malicious higher-ups) could block out or limit Firefox users, Safari users, open source or indie browsers, etc. from their website; and worst of all, they could block or limit as far as the device you use.

Major concerns:

How can people even WANT this other than corrupt companies trying to force competing users to tediously go through the needed hoops to access the website? There's already the web design standard of optimizing load times to be welcoming for visitors. This ain't going to encourage anyone to have interest in your website (or its company by extension). It really will be a test of consumer trust.

Worryingly, lazy or more apathetic web developers might use this to dance around compatibility challenges in their websites. I've seen my fair share of these types of devs in the community who take the frustration of browser compatibilities too far. They're a minority (thankfully, seen in the video is the Chrome repository getting completely flooded with criticisms). But, yeah, pro-tip to web developers: Learn to prioritize the layout and order of your content in plain HTML first before you jump into design. And then build the CSS from there in a "ranking" of completely compatible with all browsers, to less compatibilities. So you can manage and keep track of how your site will look on anything out there.

The sheer fear and worry for accessibility in web design that I'm feeling from this, man. Again, it's not just browsers... Malicious entities making decisions for websites could block out or further limit accessibility devices (if they're counted) because of the extra work that comes with ensuring a website is accessible to a wide range of disabled or impaired users. I can't fully tell if screen reader software could somehow get affected, but who knows how far Google will want to go in this nightmare of a proposal.

Read more on this situation:

"It is also interesting to note that the first use case listed is about ensuring that interactions with ads are genuine. While this is not problematic on the surface, it certainly hints at the idea that Google is willing to use any means of bolstering its advertising platform, regardless of the potential harm to the users of the web."

Vivaldi Article

||

"The proposal threatens the free and open internet in a number of ways, but one of the biggest revolves around the fact that should there be a central server that attests to whether a browser can be trusted or not, it means that anything non-standard will not be trusted. In other words, new browsers would not be trusted, and legacy software would no longer be able to access much of the internet after a certain length of time. Given that it verifies the integrity of the browser, it could also technically block certain extensions (such as Adblock) if Google were to go down that route."

XDA Developers

||

"What makes the fingerprinting process somewhat insidious is that, unlike web cookies, no residue is left on a user’s computer – everything can be stored in the cloud. The fingerprint data can be collected even if users run private or incognito browsing sessions. Worse yet, each user’s fingerprint can be shared across websites without the user’s knowledge."

Silicon Angle

[xlntwtch2]

from AP News 1/2/24 ...

"SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google has agreed to settle a $5 billion privacy lawsuit alleging that it spied on people who used the “incognito” mode in its Chrome browser — along with similar “private” modes in other browsers — to track their internet use.

The class-action lawsuit filed in 2020 said Google misled users into believing that it wouldn’t track their internet activities while using incognito mode. It argued that Google’s advertising technologies and other techniques continued to catalog details of users’ site visits and activities despite their use of supposedly “private” browsing...."

what have you been "googling"?

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