Chrome 70 Launches With Improved Security And Updates To Controversial Login System
Google has begun pushing out a new build of its Chrome browser, version 70.0.3538.67, to end users at large. This latest release is an official build, not a beta version, and as such should be considered stable for the general populace. One of the new features Chrome 70 brings to the table is a retooled account login system.
The new feature is in reaction to complaints and concerns that the previous build was automatically signing users into their Google accounts whenever they would visit a Google website or service, such as Gmail. The featured sparked a privacy concern. Google insisted it wasn't using the auto login feature to collect more data, but ultimately conceded it was the right move to reverse course.
""While we think sign-in consistency will help many of our users, we’re adding a control that allows users to turn off linking web-based sign-in with browser-based sign-in—that way users have more control over their experience. For users that disable this feature, signing into a Google website will not sign them into Chrome," Google stated at the time.
Anyone who updates to Chrome 70 will see a new setting in the 'Privacy and security' section called "Allow Chrome sign-in." By default, the switch is enabled, meaning Chrome 70 still automatically logs and syncs their accounts when signing into services like Gmail. However, users now have the option of disabling it so that Chrome acts the way it did before the prior release.
Chrome 70 adds other features as well, such as the default enabling of macOS's TouchID and Android's fingerprint sensor via Web Authentication. These functions allow developers to access biometric authenticators, so users can log into services without having to type a password every time.
If you're using Chrome, the latest release will be delivered automatically, if not already. To force the update, click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner of Chrome and select Help > About Google Chrome.
