AI Browser Extensions Are Secretly Collecting Your Data—Here’s What You Need to Know

In an age where artificial intelligence promises to boost productivity and streamline workflows, a disturbing reality lurks beneath the surface: many of the AI-powered browser extensions you trust are quietly harvesting your personal data—sometimes without clear justification.

A groundbreaking new study from Incogni, a leading data removal service, has revealed that over half of AI-branded Chrome extensions collect user data, with nearly a third gathering personally identifiable information (PII). These extensions have been downloaded a staggering 115.5 million times, potentially exposing tens of millions of users to privacy risks.

The Hidden Dangers in Your Browser

Browser extensions have long been a weak link in digital security, but the rise of AI has amplified the threat. According to Incogni’s research, which analyzed 442 AI-branded Chrome extensions, the most invasive tools are those you might use every day—like Grammarly, Quillbot, and other writing assistants.

“Problems begin when an extension requires a level of permission that can’t be justified given its stated purpose,” the report warns. For example, a writing assistant that demands access to your precise location should immediately raise red flags.

The Most Invasive Extensions

Incogni’s study identified several extensions with both high risk likelihood and high risk impact. At the top of the list are:

• Grammarly and Quillbot, which collectively have over two million downloads and are deemed the most potentially privacy-damaging.
• Nily AI Sidebar and EaseMate, which also scored high on both risk metrics.
• IncogniGoogle Translate and ChatGPT Search, which ranked fourth and tenth, respectively.

These extensions don’t just collect data—they often use “scripting” permissions, which allow them to capture what you type or alter what you see on a webpage. This type of access is particularly risky, as it can expose sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal messages.

Which Categories Are the Riskiest?

Not all AI extensions are created equal. Incogni’s research found that certain categories are far more invasive than others:

• Programming and mathematical helpers are the riskiest, collecting the most data and requiring the most permissions.
• Meeting assistants and audio transcribers are also high-risk, as they often have access to sensitive conversations and recordings.
• Writing assistants like Grammarly and Quillbot fall into this category, so users should exercise extra caution.

On the other end of the spectrum, audiovisual generators and text and video summarizers were found to be the least invasive on average.

The Risks You Face

So, what’s the worst that could happen if your data falls into the wrong hands? Using data from Chrome-Stats, Incogni evaluated each extension based on two key factors:

1. How easily a developer or third party could make the extension act against your interests.
2. The level of damage such a breach could cause.

Only 10 out of the 442 extensions analyzed hit high on both metrics, but those 10 represent a significant threat to user privacy.

How to Protect Yourself

Incogni offers several practical tips to help you safeguard your privacy while still enjoying the benefits of AI tools:

1. Be wary of unjustifiable permissions requests. If an extension asks for access to data that doesn’t seem necessary for its function, think twice before installing it.
2. Check what data leaves your device. As Incogni puts it, “The only objective criterion that could be applied when deciding whether to install a given extension is: does personal data leave the host device? If it does, then the extension represents an unacceptable risk.”
3. Limit your use of high-risk extensions. If you must use tools like Grammarly or Quillbot, consider restricting their access or using them sparingly.
4. Regularly review your installed extensions. Remove any that you no longer use or that seem overly invasive.

The Bottom Line

As AI continues to integrate into our daily lives, the line between convenience and privacy is becoming increasingly blurred. While tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT Search offer undeniable benefits, they also come with significant risks. By staying informed and vigilant, you can take control of your digital privacy and protect yourself from the hidden dangers lurking in your browser.

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