Browsers
Samsung Browser privacy rating
Chromium-based browser from Samsung, formerly called Samsung Internet, preinstalled on Galaxy phones and tablets and also available for Windows. Includes Smart anti-tracking, Secret mode and ad-blocker add-ons.
Summary
Samsung Browser scores 8 out of 100 (grade F) on the browsers criteria. It partly meets blocks trackers by default. It does not meet open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, independent audit, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates. It is based in South Korea: Not in the Five, Nine or Fourteen Eyes.
Score 8 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
- No
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No
No trackers or telemetry Weight 3 of 3
Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default?
The Samsung privacy policy lists Google Analytics, Firebase Analytics and Adobe Analytics, and the product site loads Google Tag Manager.
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No
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Samsung uses personal information for personalized advertising and shares it for targeted advertising, which the policy says may count as a sale.
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No
Independent audit Weight 2 of 3
Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years?
No independent audit is published.
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Partial
Blocks trackers by default Weight 3 of 3
Are third-party trackers blocked by default, without installing extensions?
Smart anti-tracking is on by default and limits third-party cookie access for known trackers. Ad blocking needs an add-on.
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No
Fingerprinting protection Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser defend against fingerprinting by default?
No fingerprinting protection is documented.
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No
No calls to big-tech services Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser work without background connections to Google, Microsoft or Apple services?
Samsung does not document which Google services the browser contacts or how to turn them off.
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No
Timely security updates Weight 3 of 3
Are security fixes from the upstream engine shipped quickly and automatically?
Releases are built on Chromium versions several releases behind Chrome, and the release notes do not list security fixes.