Hajra Naz
Every mainstream browser collects something, but the gap between the lightest and the heaviest is much wider than most people assume, and it rarely matches the brand you trust. The data at stake goes well past browsing history: identifiers tied to your account, search terms, location signals, purchase and usage patterns, and in some cases enough to link your activity across apps and devices. Knowing which browser sits where lets you make a deliberate choice instead of an accidental one, and it pairs with understanding how fingerprinting quietly identifies you even when you clear everything else.
If you’re one of the billions of people using Google Chrome or Apple Safari on your phone, you may want to take a closer look at just how much personal information you’re handing over.
A recent study by Surfshark analyzed mobile browser data collection practices using download figures from AppMagic, and the findings are eye-opening:
Chrome and Safari dominate the mobile browsing market, together making up 90% of global downloads. But that popularity comes with a privacy trade-off.
Chrome, in particular, stands out, not in a good way. It’s the most data-hungry browser on mobile, collecting 20 different types of personal data.
That includes everything from your location and browsing history to contact info and even payment details. No other browser gathers as much.
To be fair, Chrome does let users opt in to store payment information for convenience, which may explain why it keeps banking and card data.
Still, that level of access raises red flags for anyone concerned about digital privacy.
Microsoft’s Bing browser isn’t far behind, scooping up 12 data types, while Pi Browser grabs nine. Safari and Firefox each collect eight.
On the flip side, privacy-focused browsers like Brave and Tor do far less tracking.
Tor doesn’t collect any personal data at all, and Brave only collects a couple of identifiers and general usage stats — much more in line with what privacy-conscious users might prefer.
Some browsers also gather data that’s particularly valuable for advertisers.
Edge, Bing, and Pi Browser are among the worst offenders when it comes to tracking-related data, like your search history, device ID, and ad interactions, which can be sold to third parties for targeted marketing.
In the U.S., Safari leads with 50% of the mobile browser market, while Chrome holds 43%. The UK market shows a similar split, with Chrome slightly ahead.
The good news?
You have options.
If privacy is a priority for you, switching browsers or using tools like a reliable VPN can help keep your data under wraps.
Common questions about browser data collection
Does private or incognito mode stop any of this?
Not in the way most people think. Private mode mainly stops your own device from keeping a local record of the session. The sites you visit, your network provider and, in many cases, the browser vendor can still see the activity, so it protects you from the person who borrows your laptop rather than from data collection itself.
Do privacy extensions actually reduce tracking?
A good content blocker cuts a real share of third-party trackers and speeds up page loads as a side effect. What it cannot do is change what the browser itself sends home, since that happens below the level an extension can reach. Extensions are a useful layer, not a full fix.
Is switching browsers enough on its own?
Switching helps, but your settings usually matter more than the logo. Staying signed in to a browser account, leaving sync switched on for history and passwords, and accepting default telemetry will undo most of the benefit of moving. Change the settings first, then decide whether the browser still needs replacing.
