[Un article de The Conversation écrit par Sabrine Mallek – Professeure Assistante en Transformation Digitale, ICN Business School]
However, it is important to understand that this confidentiality is above all local (on your device). Private mode does not involve navigating anonymously on the internet network itself. It is not an “invisibility shield” vis-à-vis the websites visited, your Internet access provider (ISP), or your employer.
As the National Commission for Data Protection (CNIL) indicates, even in private mode, sites can collect information via cookies (small files that record your preferences and online activities) or techniques FingerPrintingwhich make it possible to identify a user in a unique way by analyzing the technical characteristics of his browser.
Private mode has many limits
Studies confirm the technical limits of the private mode. Traces remain despite the closure of the session, in contradiction with what the documentation of the browser claims. An analysis on Android revealed that the RAM keeps sensitive data: keywords, identifiers, cookies, recoverable even after restart.
Private mode does not block advertising cookies, it simply removes them at the end of the session. When you come back to a site in a new private session, it does not “remember” the previous choices: it is therefore often necessary to redefine your preferences (accept or refuse cookies). Banners of consent to cookies, well known to European Internet users since the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the EPRIVACY Directive, therefore systematically reappear. The fatigue of consent pushes many Internet users to accept everything without reading.
In France, 65 % of Internet users systematically accept cookies, despite better information on the subject in recent years. However, Internet users are aware of the risks linked to their online privacy, but do not systematically act, often for lack of knowledge or confidence in the available tools. Some sites even hide the “refuse” option to influence you: a well -designed panel can halve acceptance by half.
What alternatives to really protect yourself?
Private mode is not enough to guarantee anonymity online. To better protect your privacy, several tools must be combined.
A VPN (Virtual Private Network Or virtual private network, in French) creates a secure tunnel between your device and the Internet, allowing to navigate more confidentially by encrypting your data and masking your IP address. In 2024, 19 % of French VPN users wish above all to hide their activity, and 15 % protect their communications.
A navigator like Tor goes further: it bounces your requests via Several relays to completely hide your identity. It is the favorite tool for journalists or activists, but its slowness can discourage daily use. Alternatives like Brave or Firefox Focus offer reinforced modes against trackers, while extensions like Ublock Origin or Privacy Badger effectively block pubs and trackers. These extensions are compatible with the main browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Brave.
It is also essential to adopt digital hygiene: manage cookies, limit authorizations, prefer engines like DuckduckGo (which do not store your research, do not automatically profile and block many trackers) and avoid centralizing your data on a single account. Online, real confidentiality is based on a global, proactive and enlightened approach.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
