TIL Chrome is scanning your files, including private folders, in the background as an anti-malware measure
https://twitter.com/swagitda_/status/979477998142476289
There’s currently no “off” switch, but apparently the devs reassure that scans are local and not “cloud” based. But this still has consent and privacy implications
@cypnk @RussSharek by "scanning for malware" I think they mean "malware that scans for competitor malware"
I mean what wouldn't Alphabet want with the contents of billions of users' drives?
I wonder when they'll start detecting other browsers as "malware" for not including this "feature"
@cypnk @RussSharek From another angle, there's https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2765944 as well:
« Chrome helps you find suspicious or unwanted programs on your Windows computer.
When Chrome offers to remove unwanted programs, click Remove. Chrome will remove the software, set some settings to default, and turn off extensions. »
@RussSharek So far, this is the most detail I’ve been able to find that’s verifiable. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
https://www.blog.google/products/chrome/cleaner-safer-web-chrome-cleanup
Apparently, they’ve partnered with AV company ESET and incorporated scanning for malware into Chrome
There’s an awful lot of speculation floating about this already so I’d avoid any other sources until a trusted security researcher can shed more light on this