Google Chrome's Incognito Mode Has a Big Problem

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This private mode may not be so private

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A major bonus of browsing in Google Chrome's Incognito mode is paywall sites not knowing when you're surfing them. Except some, like The New York Times, have figured out how identify readers trying to bypass the required subscription fees. 

The exposed loophole prompted Google to reinforce Incognito mode with Chrome 76, released earlier in August. Yet if you attempt to access www.nytimes.com with the updated version of the browser right now, you'll still be prompted to log into a paid account after exceeding your complimentary article limit for the month. "You're in private mode," the Times will announce via popup, casting shame on your efforts to read for free.

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Kate Kozuch
Kate Kozuch

Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don't already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef.