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Saved February 14, 2026
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Google Chrome's new autofill feature can now store sensitive information like passports and vehicle IDs, making form-filling faster. However, experts warn that this could increase risks if a user's Google account is compromised, as all that data is concentrated in one place. The cybersecurity community advises against storing sensitive information in browsers due to rising malware threats.
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Google Chrome's new autofill feature now includes the ability to remember and automatically fill in sensitive personal data, such as licenses, passports, and vehicle identification numbers. While this upgrade promises to streamline form-filling, it raises critical concerns about data safety. Google asserts that user consent and encryption will protect this information, and users will have control over their stored data.
Cybersecurity experts are sounding alarms about the risks associated with consolidating sensitive information in one place. Nivedita Murthy from Black Duck highlights that if a Google account is compromised, attackers could access not just emails but also sensitive identification data. The convenience of autofill must be weighed against the potential consequences of a security breach.
Moreover, this new feature contradicts longstanding recommendations from cybersecurity professionals, who advise against storing passwords and autofill data in browsers due to malware threats. One such malware, Shuyal Stealer, specifically targets data from 17 popular browsers. Currently, this feature is only available to desktop Chrome users, with plans for future updates to expand its capabilities.
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