Chrome again exempts Google sites from user data deletion settings

Chrome Fails to Delete Google Site Data

A new report indicates that Google Chrome, specifically version 152.0.7977.83 on macOS, is not deleting site data for google.com, even when user settings are configured to automatically delete all site data upon closing browser windows. This behavior was observed on two different Macs, with the default search engine changed from Google to DuckDuckGo to rule out search engine settings as a cause.

Reoccurrence of a Past Issue

This issue is a reoccurrence of a bug previously reported six years ago, where Google-owned sites were mysteriously exempted from Chrome's automatic site data deletion settings. That prior bug was eventually fixed by Google following public attention. The current observation shows that after performing a Google search and closing all Chrome windows, google.com site data (including Cookies, Local Storage, and Session Storage) remains saved, even after quitting and relaunching the browser.

Impact on User Privacy and Browser Functionality

The failure to delete site data as per user settings impacts user privacy expectations and the reliability of browser functionality. While the report does not attribute malicious intent, it highlights a lapse in quality assurance, especially given Google's resources. The persistence of this type of bug suggests a need for more rigorous testing of core browser features related to user data management.