Users of Chrome and Firefox have been warned to check their browser extensions after a number of popular tools were found to be collecting and selling user data without permission. Six extensions have been found to be selling user information, an investigation by the Washington Post found, with data sent to a centralized platform. All the extensions have now been removed from the Chrome and Firefox web stores, but users should still check to ensure their browsers are not at risk.
We’re requiring extensions to only request access to the least amount of data’ by Oct. 15, Google says. Google is giving Chrome extension makers until Oct. 15 to minimize the amount of data they collect during browser sessions or face expulsion the Chrome Web Store. The risks prompted Google to work toward securing the 180,000+ Chrome extensions on the company’s official web store.