Convenience or Risk? Chrome Adds Autofill for Passports & Driver’s Licenses
Google is expanding the autofill capabilities of its Chrome browser, adding support for sensitive personal data such as passport numbers, driver’s licenses, and vehicle identification numbers (VINs). While the feature aims to streamline form completion, cybersecurity experts have voiced concerns — not due to its novelty, but because of the inherent risks of storing extensive personal information in a single repository.
The so-called “company of good” emphasizes that the enhancement builds upon the existing autofill infrastructure, which already handles passwords, addresses, and payment details. In the updated version, data will be stored only with the user’s consent, encrypted, and accessed exclusively after confirmation. Google insists that users will retain full control over all saved information.
However, the introduction of new data types — passports, driver’s licenses, and VINs — introduces additional vulnerabilities. These identifiers can reveal far more intimate details than an address or a phone number. Experts note that, while autofill simplifies daily interactions with online services, it simultaneously transforms one’s Google account into an attractive target for cybercriminals, especially given that the same account is often used for authentication across third-party services.
A particular cause for concern is the continued popularity of browsers among malware developers who target stored autofill data. One prominent example is the Shuyal Stealer, a malicious tool designed to harvest sensitive information from seventeen widely used browsers. Such programs can compromise confidential data once a device becomes infected.
For now, the feature is available only to users of the desktop version of Chrome, though Google intends to expand the range of recognized data types in the future. The company reiterates that privacy protection remains a top priority, yet in an era of escalating cyber threats, the pursuit of convenience may well become the weakest link in safeguarding personal information.
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