How Chrome keeps your usage statistics and crash reports private

Usage statistics

Usage statistics measure the effectiveness of browser features and performance. The data collected includes how you use your browser, your system information, your browser performance, settings and preferences. If the setting 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance' is enabled, Chrome will periodically send usage statistics to Google.

If the setting 'Make searches and browsing better (sends URLs of pages that you visit to Google)' is enabled, Chrome additionally shares statistics with Google about sites that you go to and how you use them. Chrome can share statistics about synced extensions that you install from the Chrome Web Store.

Crash reports

Crash reports contain system information from the time of the crash. These reports may include site URLs, your activity before the crash and the contents of the memory at the time of the crash.

Usage statistics aren't associated with your Google Account and don't include personally identifiable information. When usage statistics are turned on:

• Chrome generates a random unique identifier for reports sent from your device. This identifier helps us keep statistics organised without tying them to your personal information. Every time that you disable or enable this feature, a new identifier will be generated.
• If you're signed in to Chrome and turn on sync, usage statistics may include information like the age and gender entered on your Google Account. This information is used to help build better products for your demographics.

Optional settings, like 'Make searches and browsing better' or extension sync, allow Chrome to collect URLs and extension information. A separate and random unique identifier generated by Chrome is used to send this data. This identifier is not related to or directly joined to the usage statistics identifier. Once the statistics are received on Google's servers, URLs known to Google are stored and unknown URLs are discarded.

Google uses aggregate data received from users to better understand Chrome's performance and to guide improvement priorities. Some of these aggregate statistics are available in the Chrome User Experience Report.

Chrome sends usage statistics and crash reports by default. You can turn this feature on or off in your settings.

Change usage statistic and crash reports settings

This setting is enabled by default. You can turn it off when you install Chrome or later in your settings. When you turn off this feature, Chrome doesn't send usage statistics to Google.

Computer

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Settings You and Google Sync and Google services.
3. Turn on or off Help improve Chrome's features and performance.
   1. Tip: If you use a ChromeOS device, this step will guide you to the ChromeOS security and privacy settings page instead. From there, select Privacy controls turn on or off Help improve ChromeOS features and performance.

Android

1. On your Android device, open the Chrome app .
2. At the top right, tap More Settings Google services.
3. Turn on or off Help improve Chrome's features and performance.

iOS

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app .
2. Tap More Settings Google services.
3. Turn on or off Help improve Chrome's features and performance.

Change 'Make searches and browsing better' setting

Metrics about URLs are only sent to Google when you enable 'Make searches and browsing better' and 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance'.

Computer

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Settings You and Google Sync and Google services.
3. Turn on or off Make searches and browsing better.

Android

1. On your Android device, open the Chrome app .
2. At the top right, tap More Settings Google services.
3. Turn on or off Make searches and browsing better.

iOS

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app .
2. Tap More Settings Google services.
3. Turn on or off Make searches and browsing better.

Tip: If you turn off 'Make searches and browsing better' or 'Help improve Chrome's features and performance', the identifier sent to Google will be reset.

Change extension sync settings

Metrics about extensions are only sent to Google when extension sync is enabled.

Computer

1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, select More Settings You and Google Sync and Google services.
3. Select Manage what you sync Customise sync.
4. Turn on or off Extensions.